Robt.  W.  Baylor. 


BULL  RUN  TO  BULL  RUN; 

OR, 

FOUR  YEARS  T:E  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 


CONTAINING   A   DETAILED  ACCOUNT 
OF  THE  CAREER  AND  ADVENTURES  OF 


THE  BAYLOR  LIGHT  HORSE, 

Company  B,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A. 

WITH 

LEAVES  FROM  MY  SCRAP-BOOK. 


BY  GEORGE  B 

x  \ 


Rise,  too,  ye  shapes  and  shadows  of  the  past, 

Rise  from  your  long-forgotten  graves  at  last ; 

Let  us  behold  your  faces,  let  us  hear 

The  words  you  uttered  in  those  days  of  fear. 

Revisit  your  familiar  haunts  again— 

The  scenes  of  triumph,  and  the  scenes  of  pain— 

And  leave  the  foot-prints  of  your  bleeding  feet 

Once  more  upon  the  pavements  of  the  street. 

— Longfellow. 


RICHMOND  : 

B.    F.    JOHNSOX    PUBLISHING    COMI?.AJ*Y. 
19OO. 


COPYRIGHTED, 
GEORGE     BAYLOR. 

1000. 


DEDICATION. 


To  THE  MEMORY  OF  THE  NOBLE  DEAD 

AND    TO 

THE*SURVIVORS  OF  THE  "BAYLOR  LIGHT  HORSE,' 

COMPANY  B, 

TWELFTH  VIRGINIA  CAVALRY, 
C.  S.  A. 


M142268 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

CHAPTER  I. — Outbreak  of  War — Joined  Ashby's  Company — Ride  to 
Harper's  Ferry — Changed  from  Cavalry  to  Infantry  and  En 
listed  in  the  Botts  Greys — Camp  Lee — Ordinance  of  Seces 
sion — Skirmish  on  July  2d — Confronted  Patterson  at  Darkes- 
ville — Retired  to  Winchester— March  to  Manassas — Battle  of 
Manassas  15 

CHAPTER  II. — Camp  Harman — Death  of  Lawrence — Lee  Berry — 
Jackson's  Address— Return  to  the  Valley— Flank  into  Win 
chester — The  "Dam.  Trip" — March  to  Berkeley  Springs — 
Firing  on  Hancock — Move  to  Romney — Return  to  Winches 
ter — Banks's  Advance — Battle  of  Kernstown 26 

CHAPTER  III. — Baylor  Light  Horse  Organized — Character  of 
Men — Captain  Baylor  Wounded  at  McGaheysville — Battle  of 
McDowell— Battles  of  Front  Royal  and  Winchester — Capture 
of  Sir  Percy  Wyndham — Death  of  Ashby — Battles  of  Cross 
Keys  and  Port  Republic — Jackson  Moves  to  Front  of  Rich 
mond — Dash  into  Front  Royal — Return  of  Darrell's  Sword...  37 

CHAPTER  IV. — Capture  of  a  Train  on  the  W.  &  P.  R.  R. — Smith- 
field  Taken— Retreat  of  Company  B— Lieutenant  Milling  Dis 
missed  55 

CHAPTER  V.— Winchester  Evacuated — Capture  of  Picket  near 
Keyes's  Ford — Fight  at  Darkesville — Capture  of  Harper's 
Ferry— Battle  of  Sharpsburg— Company  B's  Camp  Surprised 
by  Cole's  Cavalry— My  Horse  Killed— Fight  With  Geary  at 
Charlestown — Fight  Near  Lucas's  Gate — Capture  of  Captain 
Baylor  and  W.  L.  Wilson 67 

CHAPTER  VI.— A  Little  Escapade  in  Lower  Valley— Fight  at 
Smithfield — Capture  Near  Porter's  Factory— Taken  Through 
Charlestown  a  Prisoner— Lieutenant  Hill— Harper's  Ferry 
Guard-House — Baltimore  and  Fort  McHenry 82 

CHAPTER  VII.— Prisoner  at  Fort  McHenry — Attempt  to  Escape — 
Put  in  Cell  on  Right  of  Sally-Port — Sent  to  Fort  Delaware — 
Meet  my  Father— Life  at  This  Fort— My  Father's  Diary- 
Amusements  in  Prison  Life 91 

CHAPTER  VIII.— J.  Ogden  Murray,  Gemmil,  and  Purvis — My 
Father's  Diary  Continued— My  Father's  Case  and  Corre 
spondence  104 


TO  Contents. 

Page. 

CHAPTER  IX.— Leave  Fort  Delaware— Kindness  of  Officers,  Men, 
and  Sympathizers — Back  to  Fort  McHenry — Escape  of  W.  B. 
Compton— Execution  of  Leopold— Taken  to  Fojt  Monroe — 
Meeting  with  Colonel  Thomas  G.  Baylor— His  Kind  Offices- 
City  Point  and  Freeman  Again — Uncle  Tom— Richmond- 
Back  with  Command — Correspondence  Concerning  the  case 
of  my  Father 119 

CHAPTER  X. — Jones's  West  Virginia  Raid — Moorefield  and  Peters 
burg — Greenland  Gap — Oakland — Cranberry  Summit — Mor- 
gantown  —  Fairmount  —  Bridgeport  —  Oiltown  —  Phillippi— 
Weston— Back  to  Valley— Join  Stuart  at  Culpeper— Brandy 
Station  Fight 136 

CHAPTER  XI.— Forward  Movement— Middleburg— Upperville — 
O'Ferrall  Wounded — Company  B  Posted  at  Harper's  Ferry — 
Attack  on  Picket  Force  in  Bolivar— Meet  the  First  Connecti 
cut  Cavalry — Trip  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  Capture  of  Sutlers — 
Fight  at  Culpeper— Lomax  and  "  Gentlemen  "—In  the  Enemy's 
Rear  and  Safe  Escape — Jack  Shop  Engagement — Ranson, 
Manning  and  Cookus 148 

CHAPTER  XII.— Bristoe  Campaign  Begun— Attempt  to  Capture 
Signal  Corps — Charge  at  Stonehouse  Mountain — Brandy 
Station — In  Rear  of  the  Enemy  at  Jeffersonton — Charge  at 
Warrenton  Springs — Capture  of  Prisoners  on  Road  to  War- 
renton — Auburn — Manassas — Bristoe — Buckland  Races — Orn- 
doff  and  Crane— Company  B  Furloughed  for  Gallantry 162 

CHAPTER  XIII. — Rosser  Commands  Our  Brigade — Attack  on 
Meade's  Wagon-Train—Fight  at  Parker's  Store— Death  of 
Richard  Baylor — Raid  in  Rear  of  Meade's  Army — Rev.  George 
H.  Zimmerman  and  Dr.  Williams  do  not  Relish  a  Joke- 
Raid  to  Moorefield  and  Vicinity — Fight  on  New  Creek  Grade — 
Sam  Wright  Killed — George  Baylor  Wounded — Return  to 
Valley — Plays  Part  of  Ancient  Hobson — Dr.  Burton's  Keg  of 
Whiskey — "  Laurel  Brigade  " — Opie  and  Keyser 180 

CHAPTER  XIV. — Grant  Commands  Army  of  Potomac — First  Day's 
Fight  in  Wilderness — Loss  in  Company  B — On  Staff  Duty — 
Lieutenant  Washington  Wounded — Returned  to  Command — 
Second  Day's  Fight — Lose  and  Recapture  My  Hat — Capture 
of  Fifth  Army  Corps  Hospital — Death  of  Stuart — Hawes  Shop 
Fight 199 

CHAPTER  XV.— Ashland  Fight— Death  of  Locke— Trevillian— 
Colonel  Alger — Engagement  at  Charles  City  Courthouse — 
Slightly  Wounded — Colonel  Massie  Wounded — Hampton's  Re 
port — Gregg's  Report 214 

CHAPTER  XVI. — Fight  at  Sappony  Church — Wilson  Routed — 
Bony  Killed — Large  Captures — Mason  and  Manning  and  Green 
Watermelon — Fight  Near  Reams  Station — F.  J.  Manning 
Wounded — Engagement  at  Reams  Station — Hancock  Routed — 


Contents.  u 

Page. 

Coleman  Wounded — Pursuit— Castleman  Wounded — Cattle 
I  aid,  Capture  2,486  Head  of  Beef  Cattle — Dick  Timberlake 
Killed— Ike  Strider  Wounded 230 

CHAPTER  XVII.— Return  to  Shenandoah  Valley— Sheridan's  Burn 
ing  and  Devastation— Fight  at  Mill  Creek— Strider  and  Lack 
land  Take  Charge  of  Sheep— Tom's  Brook  Fight — Company 
B's  Charge — Ike  Anderson  Wounded — Early's  Opinion  of 
Lomax— Surprise  at  Petticoat  Gap — Cedar  Creek  Battle- 
Tom  Timberlake  Wounded — Sheridan's  and  Barly's  Forces 
Compared— Phil  Terrill  Killed 248 

CHAPTER  XVIIL— Night  Attack  at  Alstadt's  Farm— Narrow  Es 
cape  from  Capture — Fight  at  Charlestown— Robert  W.  Baylor, 
Jr.,  Killed — George  Crayton  Wounded — Encounter  at  Mill- 
dale — Rouss's  Account 261 

CHAPTER  XIX. — Sharpsburg  Bank  Venture — Capture  of  Mules — 
Sheridan  and  Stevenson  Friendly — Desertions — Sheridan  Asks 
Permission  to  Handle  West  Virginia  Officers — Custer  and 
Torbert  Start  for  Lynchburg  and  are  Foiled — Wounding  of 
Mosby 273 

CHAPTER  XX. — Capture  of  Mules  at  Summit  Point — Henderson, 
Mason,  and  Self  Dine  with  Mr.  Butcher — Encounter  with 
Jesse  Scouts — Christmas,  1864,  Spent  with  Friends — An  Inci 
dent  of  Camp  on  Rapidan — Lincoln  Always  Human 285 

CHAPTER  XXI. — Ordered  to  Swope's  Depot — Return  to  Lower 
Valley — Raid  on  Stores  in  Sheperdstown— Capture  of  Train 
on  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad — Poor  Guild — Ruffians  and 
Villains — Claymont — Washington  and  Alexander — Sheridan 
Joins  Grant — Merritt's  Report — General  Grant  Compared  with 
Sheridan  294 

CHAPTER  XXII. — Hancock  in  Command  at  Winchester — Take  off 
Pickets  Around  Charlestown — Doug  Mason  Wounded — Com 
pany  H  Organized — Novelty  of  Election — Capture  of  Loudoun 
Rangers— Frank  Helm  Wounded— Origin  of  "Mosby's  Men"— 
Mosby's  Confederacy — How  the  Men  Lived — Chaplain — My 
Home  308 

CHAPTER  XXIII.— Companies  D  and  H  go  on  Raid  in  Fairfax- 
Betrayed— Fight  at  Arundels— Peturn  to  Mosby's  Confede 
racy—News  of  Lee's  Surrender— Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run— Jack 
son,  Stuart,  and  Lee — Mosby  Meets  Chapman  at  Millwood- 
Truce  Ended — Mosby's  Farewell — Surrender  of  Chapman — 
Mosby  and  His  Men  Granted  Terms  of  Lee's  Army — Parole — 
Blue  Ridge  Mountain 322 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page. 

Baylor,  Robt.  W Frontispiece. 

Aisquith,  Edw.  M 17 

Anderson,  Isaac » 

Baylor,  Richard  C 29 

Baylor,  George 35 

Baylor,  Robt.  W.,  Jr 41 

Beall,  Henry  D 47 

Bell,  Daniel  F 51 

Berry,  Charles  J 57 

Conklyn,  James  C 63 

Conklyn,  Chas.  C 69 

Crane,  Charles  L 75 

Crane,  Joseph 81 

Coleman,    John 87 

Chamberlain,   Lucien 93 

Cookus,   Robert 99 

Creaton,   George 105 

Craighill,  Robert  T Ill 

Easterday,   Jos.   H 117 

Easterday,  John 123 

English,  Warren  D 129 

Frazier,    Wm.    C 135 

Fry,  Jos.  D 141 

Gallaher,  James  Nelson 147 

Gallaher,  Jno.  Shannon 153 

Grantham,   Jno.    S 159 

Henderson,  C.  E 165 

Howell,  John 171 

Hutchinson,    Julian 177 

Lackland,  E.  Morton  and  Wright,  Samuel 183 

Lewis,   John 189 

Lewis,   Elisha 195 

Locke,  Wm 201 

Manning,  C.  J 207 

Manning,  Wm.  P 215 

Manning,  Frank  J 221 

Mason,  Wm.  S 227 

McCluer,   Jno 233 

Rouss,  Charles  Broadway 239 

Ranson,   Tho.   D 245 

Ranson,  B.  B 251 


/^  Illustrations. 

Page. 

Redman,  Thomas 257 

Strider,  Isaac  H 263 

Sadler,  L.  L.  and  Aisquith,  A.  H 269 

Timberlake,   Seth  M * 275 

Trussell,  Charles 281 

Tearney,  Leonidas • 287 

Thomson,  Wm.  S 293 

Timberlake,  Richard 

Timberlake,  S.   D 305 

Trussell,  James  T ' 

Trussell,  Moses 319 

Timberlake,  Thos.  W 327 

Terrill,    Philip 335 

Terrill,  Jno.  U 343 

Washington,   Bushrod   C ' 

Wysong,  Robert  L 

Wilson,  Wm.  L 375 

Yates,  Jno.  O 

Young,   Mason   E 388 


CHAPTER  I. 

To  every  man  upon  this  earth, 
Death  cometh  soon  or  late; 
And  how  can  man  die  better 
Than  facing  fearful  odds 
For  the  ashes  of  his  fathers 
And  the  temples  of  his  gods? 

Macaulay. 

In  the  summer  of  1860,  after  a  three  years'  course  at 
Dickinson  College,  I  was  honored  as  an  alumnus  of  that 
institution,  and  the  following  October  found  me  engaged 
in  the  peaceful  occupation  of  assistant  of  R.  Jaquelin  Ambler, 
at  the  Clifton  High  School,  near  Markham,  in  Fauquier 
county,  Virginia.  The  principal  of  that  institution  had  been 
my  preceptor,  several  years  before,  at  the  Charlestown 
Academy,  and  in  that  relation  I  had  formed  for  him  a  warm 
attachment,  and  was  consequently  much  gratified  that  my 
career  in  life  should  have  its  beginning  under  so  estimable 
a  gentleman,  and  was  especially  pleased  that  my  horse  should 
bear  me  company. 

Young  mien  of  the  present  day,  who  flourish  in  fine  bug 
gies,  smoke  cigars  and  cigarettes,  part  their  hair  in  the 
middle,  and  occasionally  greet  "  inspiring  bold  John  Barley 
Corn,"  can  ill  appreciate  the  pastimes  and  pleasures  of  the 
youth  of  a  generation  ago,  when  the  horse,  the  gun,  and  the 
dog  were  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  masculine  aspirations.  Those 
good  old  days  of  innocent,  manly  sports  and  recreations,  are 
still  valued  as  the  brightest  and  happiest  in  life.  Alas!  of 
our  little  group,  that  often  chased  the  squirrel  from  tree  to 
tree  and  made  the  forests  ring  with  volleys  of  musketry,  or 
startled  the  partridge  from  its  repose  in  the  fields,  but  two 
are  left  to  tell  the  tale.  That  acquaintance  with  the  horse, 

[15] 


16  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

which  began  in  early  childhood,  soon  ripened  into  affection, 
and  the  horse  and  rider  were  one  in  life  ar^d  action. 

During  my  collegiate  course  the  family  conclave  met,  my 
pursuit  in  life  was  determined,  and  the  law  chosen.  The 
program  arranged  \vas  for  me  to  spend  a  couple  of  years  in 
teaching,  and  then  attend  the  School  of  Law  at  the  University 
of  Virginia.  But  man  proposes  and  God  disposes. 

Taking  up  my  abode  in  this  rural  retreat  in  Fauquier  at 
the  age  of  eighteen,  the  hours  not  occupied  in  school  duties 
or  recreation  were  devoted  to  the  study  of  Blackstone,  and 
some  progress  was  being  made  in  the  rights  of  persons  and 
rights  of  property  when  the  I9th  of  April,  1861,  rolled 
around,  and  Virginia's  call  to  arms  awakened  me  from  my 
repose. 

The  country  around  Markham  was  at  that  time  settled  by 
old  and  highly  distinguished  families,  among  whom  may  be 
named:  Marshall,  Ambler,  Ashby,  Stribling,  Carter  and 
others,  and  my  stay  among  them  was  made  as  agreeable  as  it 
could  be — for  a  youthful  pedagogue.  My  temper,  naturally 
irascible,  was  ill-suited  to  a  pursuit  and  profession  requiring 
a  large  modicum  of  patience  and  good  nature;  and  the  few 
months  spent  in  this  service  was  sufficient  to  implant  in  me 
a  deep  sympathy  and  commiseration  for  the  toilers  in  the 
schools.  The  time  spent  in  this  community  was  a  period 
full  of  import.  The  country  was  verging  on  a  great  civil  war. 
The  North  and  South'  were  fast  becoming  estranged  and 
designing  politicians  on  either  side  fanned  the  flame  of  dis 
cord.  The  Cotton  States  had  seceded  from  the  Union  and 
formed  a  Confederacy,  with  its  capital  at  Montgomery.  The 
Star  of  the  West  had  attempted  to  provision  Fort  Sumter, 
had  been  refused  permission,  and  a  collision  had  occurred 
between  the  forces  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  State  of 
South  Carolina.  Virginia,  reluctant  to  leave  the  Union,  was 
by  the  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln  calling  for  75,000 
troops,  forced  to  take  sides,  and  natural  affinity,  education, 
and  similarity  of  interests  determined  her  choice. 


Edw.  M.  Aisquith. 


i8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Soldiering  in  time  of  peace,  had  found  little  favor  with 
me,  and  I  had  refrained  from  joining-  any  ipilitary  organiza 
tion,  though  many,  the  outgrowth  of  the  John  Brown  raid, 
were  in  existence  in  the  vicinity  of  my  home  and  present 
abode.  But  now  that  Virginia  had  taken  her  stand  with  her 
Southern  sisters,  and  the  two  sections  were  in  hostile  array, 
I  felt  it  my  duty  to  lay  down  the  plow  and  the  pruning-hook 
and  take  up  the  sword  and  the  battle-axe. 

Turner  Ashby,  who  lived  near  Markham,  was  then  captain 
of  a  volunteer  company  of  cavalry,  composed  of  men  of  that 
vicinity,  and  had  received  orders  to  report  with  his  company 
at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  inclination  to  go  could  not  be 
resisted,  and,  seeking  my  principal,  I  asked  to  be  relieved 
from  further  duty  under  my  contract  with  him.  He  was  too 
patriotic  to  refuse  such  a  request,  and  on  the  iQth  of  April, 
1 86 1,  I  joined  Ashby's  company  of  horse,  crossed  the  Blue 
Ridge,  and  reached  Charlestown  about  6  P.  M.  At  Hall- 
town  we  overtook  a  portion  of  the  Second  Virginia  regiment 
of  infantry,  under  command  of  Colonel  Allen,  and  with  it 
took  possession  of  Harper's  Ferry  that  night. 

The  long  ride  on  the  iQth  had  rather  worsted  my  steed, 
and  meeting  many  of  my  old  school-mates  and  friends  in  the 
Botts  Greys,  Second  Virginia  regiment  of  infantry,  with  the 
permission  of  Captain  Ashby,  I  changed  my  arm  of  service 
from  cavalry  to  infantry,  and  joined  the  Botts  Greys — a  step 
soon  afterwards  much  regretted.  My  first  duties  as  a  soldier 
were  performed  with  the  awkward  squad  on  the  plateau  in 
the  armory  yard  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  in  a  short  time  I 
became  a  fairly  well-drilled  recruit. 

Troops  continued  to  pour  into  Harper's  Ferry  from  all 
parts  of  Virginia  and  were  gradually  organized  into  regi 
ments,  brigades,  and  divisions.  The  First  Brigade  was 
composed  of  the  Second,  Fourth,  Fifth,  and  Twenty-seventh 
Virginia  regiments,  and  shortly  after  its  formation,  the 
Thirty-third  was  added.  Colonel  Thomas  J.  Jackson,  then 
little  known  in  military  circles,  although  a  graduate  of  West 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  19 

Point  and  a  soldier  of  some  distinction  in  the  Mexican  War, 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  our  brigade.  His  appear 
ance  was  not  military  or  striking  in  any  particular.  He  had 
rather  a  sleepy  look,  and  was  a  very  unimposing  figure  on 
horseback.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  immediately 
went  to  work  to  prepare  his  brigade  for  the  great  work 
before  it.  For  a  couple  of  months  we  were  marched  and 
counter-marched,  with  no  other  ostensible  purpose  than  to 
prove  our  metal  and  endurance. 

In  June,  1861,  our  regiment  \vas  sent  to  Berkeley  county, 
and  established  a  camp  opposite  Williamsport,  known  as 
Camp  Lee  and  especially  noted  as  the  scene  of  the  incarcera 
tion  of  Comrade  Flagg  for  the  trivial  offence  of  shooting  at 
a  squirrel  which  appeared  on  a  tree  within  the  camp.  His 
imprisonment  seemed  to  us  then  a  terrible  outrage  on  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  a  freeman  and  an  insult  to  the  honor 
and  dignity  of  a  soldier,  and  served  somewhat  to  dampen 
the  ardor  and  enthusiasm  of  our  patriotism.  We  were  then, 
however,  novices  in  military  life  and  discipline,  and  knew 
little  of  what  the  future  had  in  store  for  us. 

While  in  this  camp,  the  Ordinance  of  Secession  was  voted 
on,  and  we  juniors,  although  bearing  arms  and  ready  to 
battle  for  our  State,  were  not  permitted  to  cast  our  votes  in 
settling  this  momentous  question.  This  denial  of  the  right 
of  franchise  to  soldiers  in  the  field  was  also  esteemed  an  out 
rage  far  worse  than  taxation  without  representation. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  the  other  regiments  of  our 
brigade  joined  our  regiment  and  the  brigade  went  into  camp 
just  south  of  Hainesville,  near  which  place  a  portion  of  the 
Fifth  regiment,  on  the  2(1  of  July,  had  a  little  skirmish  with 
Patterson's  advance.  Our  regiment,  though  under  artillery 
fire,  can  hardly  be  said  to  have  smelt  powder. 

On  July  4th,  General  Johnston,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  joined  us  at  Darkesville  with 
his  whole  command,  and  his  little  army  was  drawn  up  in 
line  of  battle  to  confront  Patterson,  who  was  then  in  posses- 


20  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

sion  of  Martinsburg.  This  offer  of  battle  was  not  accepted 
by  Patterson,  and  after  remaining  in  this  position  several 
days  our  army  retired  to  Winchester,  and  preparations  were 
hastily  made  to  join  Beauregard  at  Manassas,  though  our 
destination  was  not  disclosed  until  we  were  well  on  our  way. 

On  the  1 8th,  our  brigade  marched  to  Berry's  Ferry,  waded 
the  Shenandoah,  then  up  to  the  shoulders  of  the  men,  and 
reached  Piedmont  next  morning,  where  we  took  the  cars 
and  arrived  at  Manassas  on  the  evening  of  the  iQth.  At 
Piedmont,  when  the  train  pulled  up,  and  orders  were  given 
to  board,  there  was  one  coach  a  little  superior  to  the  others 
(which  were  principally  box-cars  and  gondolas),  and  the 
Botts  Greys  seeing  it,  were  soon  snugly  seated  within;  when 
to  our  surprise,  Sandy  Pendleton,  then  on  General  Johnston's 
staff,  entered  and  ordered  us  to  vacate,  saying  that  was  the 
officers'  coach.  The  boys,  saying  they  were  as  good  as  the 
officers,  refused  to  vacate,  and  after  some  idle  threats  Pendle 
ton  disappeared,  and  the  coach  was  retained. 

On  the  20th,  our  brigade  went  into  line  in  front  of 
McDowell,  near  Mitchell's  Ford,  on  Bull  Run,  close  to  the 
battle-field  of  the  i8th. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2ist,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
the  left  of  our  army  to  reinforce  our  troops  then  engaged 
with  McDowell's  advance.  We  moved  into  line  southeast 
of  the  Henry  house,  on  a  little  crest,  in  front  of  a  pine 
thicket.  The  battle  was  then  raging  and  the  Confederates 
were  retiring.  As  the  dead  and  wounded  were  carried  past, 
we  realized  for  the  first  time  the  horrors  of  battle. 

Company  C,  commanded  by  Captain  Nelson,  was  on  the 
left  of  our  regiment,  the  Botts  Greys,  Company  G,  was  next 
in  line  to  Company  C,  and  as  the  men  in  the  companies  fell 
into  line  according  to  size,  my  place  was  on  the  extreme  left 
of  Company  G,  next  to  Tom  Burnett,  our  fourth  corporal, 
and  adjoining  the  right  of  Company  C.  Captain  Nelson  was 
at  the  right  of  his  company,  and  near  him  were  the  Ran 
dolphs,  Grubbs,  Cooke,  and  others  of  large  stature.  On  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  21 

left  of  Company  C  was  the  Thirty-third  regiment  of  our 
brigade,  the  Fourth,  Fifth,  and  Twenty-seventh  being  on  the 
right. 

The  enemy's  artillery  shelled  us  in  this  position  for  an 
•hour  or  more,  doing  little  damage.  During  this  cannonade 
I  remember  General  Beauregard  riding  in  our  front  and  the 
rousing  cheer  we  gave  him.  Sam  Wright  broke  ranks,  ran 
forward  and  shook  his  hand.  This  was  our  first  view  of 
Beauregard,  and  his  appearance  is  still  indelibly  impressed 
on  my  mind.  About  2  P.  M.  I  heard  small-arms  on- our  left, 
and  turning  in  that  direction,  saw  the  Thirty-third  regiment 
engaging  the  enemy.  I  recollect  their  first  volley  and  how 
unfavorably  it  affected  me.  It  was  apparently  made  with 
guns  raised  at  an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  and  I  was  fully 
assured  that  their  bullets  would  not  hit  the  Yankees,  unless 
they  were  nearer  heaven  than  they  were  generally  located 
by  our  people.  To  my  great  astonishment  and  admiration, 
however,  I  soon  saw  these  same  men  gallantly  charging  a 
battery  in  their  front,  and  my  spirits  rose.  Our  men  clamored 
to  go  forward  to  assist  them,  but  our  officers  refused  permis 
sion,  and  the  golden  opportunity  was  accordingly  lost.  The 
Thirty-third  took  the  battery,  but  not  being  reinforced,  was 
forced  to  fall  back  in  some  disorder,  which  resulted  in 
leaving  the  left  of  our  regiment  exposed  to  an  enfilading 
fire,  and  the  enemy  soon  took  advantage  of  the  situation 
and  opened  on  Companies  C  and  G  at  short  range.  Under 
this  galling  fire,  with  some  of  our  officers  shouting  to  the 
men,  "  don't  fire;  they  are  friends,"  our  men  were  some 
what  confused,  but  soon  realizing  the  true  situation,  briskly 
returned  the  enemy's  fire  with  telling  effect.  I  have  since 
that  time  been  in  many  engagements,  yet  have  never  seen 
men  act  as  coolly  and  boldly  under  such  disadvantageous 
circumstances  as  our  men  did  on  that  occasion.  Companies 
C  and  G,  though  suffering  heavily,  wrere  unflinching  and 
holding  their  own  against  largely  superior  numbers  when 
the  order  was  given  to  fall  back  and  form  a  new  line.  This 


22  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

was  done,  no  doubt,  to  present  a  front  to  the  foe  now  out 
flanking  us.  It  was,  however,  an  unfortunate  move.  Few 
men  can  retire  calmly  under  a  galling-  fire,  and  the  execution 
of  this  order  resulted  in  stampeding  some  good  soldiers,  but 
the  large  majority  re-formed  and  again  advanced,  and  our 
right  at  the  same  time  moving  forward,  the  enemy  was 
pressed  back  and  soon  in  flight.  The  forward  movement  of 
our  brigade,  sustained  by  the  attack  of  a  portion  of  Gen. 
Kirby  Smith's  command,  produced  this  favorable  result.  We 
had  now  received  our  baptism  of  fire  and  the  brigade  was 
christened  by  the  dying  words  of  General  Bee,  "  Stonewall," 
a  name  which  it  bore  through  the  four  years'  conflict  and 
handed  down  to  posterity  untarnished. 

The  victory  w7as  decisive.     General  Scott  wired  McClellan: 

"After  fairly  beating  the  enemy  and  taking  three  of  his 
batteries,  a  panic  seized  McDowell's  army  and  it  is  in  full 
retreat  on  the  Potomac.  A  most  unaccountable  transforma 
tion  into  a  mob  of  a  finely  appointed  and  admirably  led  army." 

B.  S.  Alexander,  a  captain  of  engineers,  wired  General 
Scott: 

"  General  McDowell's  army  in  full  retreat  through  Cen- 
treville.  The  day  is  lost.  Save  Washington  and  the  remnant 
of  this  army.  General  McDowell  is  doing  all  he  can  to  cover 
the  retreat.  Colonel  Miles  is  forming  for  that  purpose.  He 
was  in  reserve  at  Centreville.  The  routed  troops  will  not 
re-form." 

The  report  of  General  McDowell,  then  at  Fairfax  Court 
house,  on  his  retreat,  says : 

"  The  men  having  thrown  away  their  haversacks  in  battle 
and  left  them  behind,  they  are  without  food;  have  eaten 
nothing  since  breakfast.  We  are  without  artillery  ammuni 
tion.  The  larger  part  of  the  men  are  a  confused  mob,  en 
tirely  demoralized.  It  was  the  opinion  of  all  the  commanders 
that  no  stand  could  be  made  this  side  of  the  Potomac.  We 
will,  however,  make  the  attempt  at  Fairfax  Courthouse. 


Isaac  Anderson. 


24  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

From  a  prisoner  we  learn  that  20,000  from  Johnston  joined 
last  night,  and  they  will  march  on  us  to-nigl^t." 

And  in  his  report,  written  at  Arlington,  on  August  4th, 
two  weeks  after  the  battle,  he  says : 

"  From  the  late  reports  it  will  be  seen  that  our  killed 
amounted  to  19  officers  and  462  non-commissioned  officers 
and  men,  and  our  wounded  to  64  officers  and  947  non-com 
missioned  officers  and  privates.  The  returns  of  the  missing 
are  very  inaccurate,  the  men  supposed  to  be  missing  having 
fallen  into  other  regiments  and  gone  to  Washington — many 
of  the  Zouaves  to  New  York." 

General  Johnston,  in  his  report  of  the  battle,  says : 

"  Our  victory  was  as  complete  as  one  gained  by  infantry 
and  artillery  can  be.  An  adequate  force  of  cavalry  would 
have  made  it  decisive.  It  is  due,  under  Almighty  God,  to 
the  skill  and  resolution  of  General  Beauregard,  the  admirable 
conduct  of  Generals  Bee,  E.  K.  Smith,  and  Jackson,  and  of 
Colonels  (commanding  brigades)  Evans,  Cocke,  Early,  and 
Elzey,  and  the  courage  and  unyielding  firmness  of  our 
patriotic  volunteers.  The  admirable  character  of  our  troops 
is  incontestably  proved  by  the  results  of  this  battle,  especially 
when  it  is  remembered  that  little  more  than  6,000  men  of 
the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  with  16  guns,  and  less  than 
2,000  of  that  of  the  Potomac  with  six  guns,  for  fully  five 
hours  successfully  resisted  35,000  United  States  troops  with 
powerful  artillery  and  a  superior  force  of  regular  cavalry. 
The  loss  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  108  killed,  510 
wounded,  and  12  missing.  That  of  the  Army  of  the  Shenan 
doah  was  270  killed,  979  wounded,  and  18  missing.  Twenty- 
eight  pieces  of  artillery,  about  5,000  muskets,  and  nearly 
500,000  cartridges,  a  garrison  flag  and  ten  colors,  were  cap 
tured  on  the  field  or  in  the  pursuit.  Besides  these,  we  captured 
64  artillery  horses  with  their  harness,  26  wagons  and  much 
camp  equipage,  clothing  and  other  property  abandoned  in 
'their  flight.  We  captured  also  about  1,600  prisoners." 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  25 

As  will  appear  from  the  foregoing-  reports,  the  rout  was 
complete,  and  only  a  small  portion  of  our  forces  was  actually 
engaged.  The  brunt  of  the  day  was  borne  by  the  Seventh 
and  Eighth  Georgia,  the  Fourth  Alabama,  the  Second  and 
Eleventh  Mississippi,  the  Sixth  North  Carolina,  Hampton's 
Legion,  and  Jackson's  Brigade — about  three-fourths  of  the 
total  loss  on  our  side  being  suffered  by  these  commands. 

Though  the  rout  of  the  Federal  army  was  complete,  the 
fruits  of  the  victory  were  lost  by  poor  generalship.  With 
fully  10,000  men  who  had  not  been  engaged  favorably  located 
on  our  right,  where  the  distance  to  Centreville  was  less  than 
it  was  from  the  battle-field,  no  effort  was  made  to  intercept 
the  flying  foe.  It  was  reported  and  currently  believed  that 
Jackson  had  been  refused  permission  to  pursue  with  his 
brigade.  With  President  Davis,  Generals  Johnston  and 
Beauregard  on  the  field,  eye-witnesses  of  the  enemy's  dis 
comfiture  and  utter  demoralization,  their  strange  conduct 
cannot  be  explained  or  their  sin  of  omission  condoned. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia 
possessed  only  one  general  who  reaped  the  proper  fruits  of 
victory — his  name  was  Stonewall  Jackson.  Having  routed 
the  enemy,  our  army  quietly  rested  on  its  arms  and  patiently 
waited  until  our  opponent,  fully  rallied  from  discomfiture, 
recruited  and  organized  a  larger  and  better-equipped  force, 
and  again  advanced  to  give  us  battle.  Such  folly  on  our 
part  seems  almost  criminal.  With  an  Alexander,  a  Napoleon, 
or  a  Von  Moltke  for  a  leader,  the  war  would  have  been  of 
short  duration,  and  the  success  of  our  arms  assured. 

Company  G,  Botts  Greys,  lost  in  this  battle,  Butler,  Page, 
and  Briscoe  killed,  and  Lieutenant  English  and  Privates  Ais- 
quith,  W.  P.  Manning,  Seth  and  Joe  Timberlake,  Wiltshire, 
Painter,  Wright,  and  Middlecoff  wounded. 


CHAPTER  II. 

"  All  quiet  along  the  Potomac,"  they  say, 

Except  now  and  then  a  stray  picket 
Is  shot,  as  he  walks  on  his  beat,  to  and  fro, 

By  a  rifleman  hid  in  the  thicket. 
'Tis  nothing;  a  private  or  two,  now  and  then, 

Will  not  count  in  the  news  of  the  battle: 
Not  an  officer  lost — only  one  of  the  men, 
Moaning  out,   all   alone,   the  death-rattle. 

Thaddcn*  Oliver. 

The  day  after  the  Manassas  fight,  our  brigade  went  into 
cam])  just  east  of  Centreville  (known  as  "  Camp  Harman  "), 
where  it  remained  for  several  months,  now  and  then  varying 
the  monotony  of  camp  life  by  picket  duty  in  the  vicinity  of 
Falls  Church  and  Munson's  Hill.  It  was  on  one  of  these 
occasions,  September  2Jst,  that  our  comrade,  Lawrence  Lee 
Berry,  was  killed,  on  picket  post.  The  situation  the  night 
preceding  his  death  is  vividly  impressed  on  my  mind.  Our 
line  of  pickets  and  the  enemy's  were  in  close  proximity,  and 
firing  between  them  was  frequent.  Two  of  my  comrades  and 
myself  were  assigned  a  post  at  the  edge  of  a  woods,  about 
three  hundred  yards  from  the  enemy's  line,  and  a  shot  at 
each  other  was  freely  '  indulged,  without  much  effect,  as 
we  had  tree  fortifications  for  shelter.  So  accurate,  however, 
was  the  enemy's  aim,  that  they  barked  the  trees  that  pro 
tected  us.  There  was  a  lull  in  the  firing  at  nightfall,  but 
our  eyes  and  ears  were  both  vigilant  and  our  imaginations  at 
hi«ii  tension.  In  media  noctc.  as  Julius  Ca\sar  would  say, 

o 

strange  noises  were  heard  around  our  position,  resembling 
footsteps  of  men  in  the  leaves,  and  well  remembered  is  the 
comforting  picture  presented  by  the  senior  of  our  post  to 
our  excited  minds  of  our  next  day's  march  to  the  old  Capitol 
prison — the  greatest  of  horrors  to  the  soldiers  at  that  period 

[26] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  2J 

of  the  war.  Just  as  day  broke,  however,  the  enemy's  attack 
was  made  on  the  post  to  our  left,  held  by  Judge  Green,  Law 
rence  Berry,  and  Joe  Sherrard.  In  the  attack  Berry  was 
killed,  but  Green  and  Sherrard  escaped  unhurt.  Green  and 
Sherrard  were  accused  of  enabling  the  enemy  to  locate  their 
station  by  a  loud  political  discussion  on  the  right  of  secession 
had  by  them  during  the  night,  but  both  indignantly  denied 
the  grave  accusation.  The  post  was  soon  retaken  by  our 
reserve  and  the  line  re-established. 

General  Jackson,  whose  star  was  now  in  the  ascendant, 
was  made  a  major-general  in  the  latter  part  of  October  and 
assigned  to  duty  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  Department,  with 
headquarters  at  Winchester.  A  few  days  thereafter  he  took 
leave  of  his  old  brigade,  in  the  following  touching  and  thrill 
ing  words : 

"  I  am  not  here  to  make  a  speech,  but  simply  to  say  fare 
well.     1  first  met  you  at  Harper's  Ferry  in  the  commence 
ment  of  this  war,  and  I  cannot  take  leave  of  you  without 
giving  expression  to  my  admiration  of  your  conduct  from 
that  day  to  this — whether  on  the  march,  in  the  bivouac,  in 
the  tented  field,  or  on  the  bloody  plains  of  Manassas,  where 
you  gained  the  well-deserved  reputation  of  having  decided 
the  fate  of  the  battle.     Throughout    the    broad    extent  of 
country  over  which  you  have  marched,  by  your  respect  for 
the  rights  and  the  property  of  citizens,  you  have  shown  that 
you  were  soldiers — not  only  to  defend,  but  able  and  willing 
both  to  defend  and    protect.     You    have    already  gained  a 
brilliant  and  deservedly  high  reputation  throughout  the  army 
of  the  whole  Confederacy,  and  I  trust  in  the  future,  by  your 
deeds  on  the  field,  and  by  the  assistance  of  the  same  kind 
Providence  who  has  heretofore  favored  our  cause,  you  will 
gain  more  victories,  and  add  additional  luster  to  the  reputa 
tion  you  now  enjoy.     You  have  already  gained  a  proud  posi 
tion  in  the  future  history  of  this  our  Second  \Yar  for  Inde 
pendence.     I  shall  look  with  great  anxiety  to  your  future 


28  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

movements,  and  I  trust  whenever  I  shall  hear  of  the  First 
Brigade  on  the  field  of  battle,  it  will  be  of  still  nobler  deeds 
achieved  and  higher  reputation  won." 

Then,  overcome  with  emotion,  he  paused  as  if  to  conquer 
his  own  feelings,  and  after  a  few  moments'  silence,  which  in 
itself  was  eloquence,  he  concluded  with  much  warmth  and 
feeling : 

'"  In  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  you  were  the  First 
Brigade!  In  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  you  were  the  First 
Brigade!  In  the  Second  corps  of  the  army  you  are  the  First 
Brigade!  You  are  the  First  Brigade  in  the  affections  of  your 
General !  And  I  hope,  by  your  future  deeds  and  bearing,  you 
will  be  handed  down  to  posterity  as  the  First  Brigade  in  this 
our  Second  War  for  Independence.  Farewell !  " 

The  applause  that  greeted  these  words  evinced  the  hold 
the  General  had  already  obtained  in  the  affections  of  his 
brigade,  and  the  tears  that  streamed  down  the  sunburnt 
cheeks  of  that  hardy  soldiery  were  more  eloquent  than  a 
thousand  tongues  in  assuring  him  of  its  depth  and  sincerity. 

Our  brigade  parted  with  its  General  in  sorrow,  but  the 
separation  was  happily  not  of  long  duration.  About  the 
middle  of  November  we  were  ordered  to  Winchester  to 
report  to  General  Jackson,  and  the  announcement  was 
received  with  great  joy  and  delight.  As  the  homes  of  our 
men  were  in  the  Valley,'  the  expectation  and  anticipated 
pleasure  of  meeting  the  loved  ones  added  zeal  to  our  joy.  We 
took  cars  at  Manassas  and  were  conveyed  to  Strasburg,  from 
which  place  the  brigade  footed  it  through  a  drenching  rain 
to  Kernstown  and  was  ordered  into  camp  there. 

Many  of  us  having  a  longing  desire  to  enter  Winchester 
and  greet  our  many  friends  and  acquaintances,  struck  out 
for  that  destination,  but  were  halted  by  the  militia,  who  had 
a  circle  of  pickets  around  the  town,  with  strict  orders  not 
to  allow  the  regulars  to  pass.  The  regulars  held  the  militia 
in  great  contempt,  and  were  little  disposed  to  acquiesce  in 


Richard  C.  Baylor. 


jo  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

their  orders,  but,  preferring  peace  to  war  with  them,  devised 
ways  and  means  to  evade  and  avoid  them.  Some  flanked 
the  posts,  some  deceived  them  with  forged  passes  from  Gen 
eral  Jackson;  but  it  was  left  lo  the  ingenuity  of  our  comrade 
Jim  Frazier  to  obtain  for  us  a  wholesale  entrance.  He 
elected  himself  captain  of  the  flankers,  and  ordering  us  to 
fall  in  line,  marched  us  up  to  the  militia  post  in  military  style 
and  order  and  halted  us.  Frazier  then  stepped  up  to  the 
officer  of  the  picket  guard  and  saluting,  informed  him  that 
General  Jackson  had  ordered  him  to  proceed  to  Winchester 
with  his  company  and  arrest  members  of  our  brigade  found 
there  without  leave.  His  authority,  backed  by  force,  was  at 
once  recognized  and  we  marched  through,  the  militia  posts 
giving  the  usual  military  salute — a  part  of 'a  soldier's  tactics 
and  education  in  which  they  especially  excelled.  Out  of 
sight  of  the  post,  we  broke  ranks,  and  each  found  friends  and 
a  comfortable  resting  place  in  hospitable  old  Winchester.  I 
think  it  safe  to  say  that  fully  half  of  the  First  Brigade  visited 
Winchester  that  night. 

On  December  4th,  our  brigade  moved  into  camp  near 
Stephenson's  Depot,  and  Brigadier-General  Garnett  (a  cousin 
of  mine)  was  assigned  to  its  command,  and  a  review  was  had 
to  show  him  what  sort  of  looking  fellows  we  were. 

On  the  1 5th,  General  Jackson  started  us  on  what  was 
generally  termed  the  "  dam  trip,"  the  object  of  which  was 
to  destroy  dam  No.  5  on  /the  Potomac  and  cripple  the  Chesa 
peake  and  Ohio  canal.  The  undertaking  was  only  partially 
successful,  and  we  returned  to  cam])  at  Stephenson's.  The 
monotony  of  cam])  life  was  ill-suited  to  our  juvenile  tempera 
ments  and  Winchester  had  many  attractions  we  longed  to 
enjoy.  Why  General  Jackson  had  banished  the  young 
volunteers  to  this  rural  retreat  and  hard-tack  diet,  while  the 
old  seedy  militia  had  comfortable  quarters  in  the  city  and 
feasted  on  the  best  in  the  market,  we  could  not  easily  under 
stand,  and  were  therefore  inclined  to  rebel  against  such  an 
unjust  and  arbitrary  restriction,  and  daily  devised  schemes  to 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  31 

overcome  it.  The  militia  guards  seemed  to  have  no  other 
occupation  but  that  of  opposing  our  entrance.  We  daily  out 
witted  them  and  our  officers,  however,  and  gained  admission. 
I  remember  on  one  occasion  several  of  our  company,  Com 
rade  Flagg  among  the  number,  obtaining  permission  to  visit 
\Yinchester  on  a  Sabbath  day  to  attend  church  and  not 
returning  for  a  week.  On  reporting  to  camp,  each  expected 
a  berth  in  the  guard-house  and  extra  duty  as  a  punishment 
for  our  offence;  but  Flagg  was  equal  to  the  occasion,  and 
when  our  captain  demanded  to  know  why  we  had  absented 
ourselves  without  leave,  as  he  had  only  given  us  permission 
to  attend  church,  "  Yes,"  says  Flagg,  "  but  when  we  got 
there  we  found  it  was  a  k  protracted  ?  meeting  and  lasted  all 
the  week."  The  captain  was  put  in  good  humor  and  all 
escaped  punishment. 

On  another  occasion  I  remember  approaching  the  militia 
pickets  without  passes,  Comrade  Flagg  acting  the  part  of  a 
lunatic  and  we  as  his  guard  taking  him  to  jail.  The  pickets  for 
a  while  refused  us  passage,  but  just  then  our  lunatic  made 
such  violent  attacks  and  demonstrations  on  the  pickets,  that 
they,  fearing  great  bodily  harm,  were  only  too  glad  to  get  rid 
of  him  and  passed  us  through. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1862,  General  Jackson  moved  with 
his  whole  force  in  the  direction  of  Berkeley  Springs.  The 
morning  was  fair,  bright,  mild,  and  beautiful;  about  sun 
down,  however,  a  northwester  sprang  up,  and  the  night  was 
very  cold.  To  add  to  our  discomfort,  we  had  left  our  over 
coats  and  blankets  in  our  company  wagons,  and  they  failed 
to  reach  us.  Our  company  laid  down  in  a  pile  of  leaves,  hog- 
fashion,  and  tried  to  rest,  but  failed,  as  the  night  was  too 
cold.  Early  next  morning  Sam  \Yright  and  myself  flanked 
out  to  a  little  mountain  hut  to  get  something  to  eat,  and 
only  found  buckwheat  cakes  and  bacon  gravy — a  meal 
remembered  by  me  still  as  the  most  enjoyable  of  my  life. 

The  weather  grew  colder  and  colder  as  we  journeyed  for 
ward.  On  the  4th,  after  a  little  brush  with  our  advance,  the 


32  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

enemy  retreated,  and  Berkeley  Springs  was  entered,  and  I 
found  comfortable  lodging  with  my  oreatuncle,  John 
Strother,  who,  although  a  strong  Union  man  in  sentiment, 
did  the  kinsman's  part  to  me  and  other  relatives  in  our 
brigade.  I  was  met  at  the  door  at  Uncle  John's  by  his  grand 
daughter,  then  a  miss  in  her  teens,  and  was  kindly  greeted 
and  welcomed  by  her,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
entrance  of  our  troops  had  occasioned  the  flight  of  her 
father,  then  an  officer  in  the  Federal  army.  Uncle  John  had 
been  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  held  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
in  great  reverence  and  affection;  was  an  honest,  earnest 
opponent  of  secession,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  proclaim  his 
sentiments  and  tell  us  he  believed  we  were  in  the  wrong. 
'  Yet,"  said  he,  "  I  am  proud  to  rind  you  fighting  for  what 
you  believe  to  be  right."  His  faith  was  so  strong  and  so 
boldly  asserted  that  it  commanded  the  highest  respect  and 
admiration. 

In  the  fall  of  186] ,  he  had  been  arrested  by  some  of  Ashby's 
cavalry  as  a  dangerous  enemy  to  our  cause,  and  retained  in 
Winchester  a  week  or  more  under  guard  of  a  cavalryman, 
but  not  in  confinement.  His  many  friends  in  that  place  soon 
procured  his  release  and  he  returned  home.  When  we 
occupied  Berkeley  Springs  he  met  and  entertained  his  guard 
as  his  guest,  telling  us  how  kind  and  considerate  the  man 
had  been  of  his  welfare  while  he  was  a  prisoner  at  Winchester. 

On  the  6th,  our  regiment  moved  opposite  Hancock,  where 
we  were  drawn  up  in  line  to  ^  support  Captain  Bragg's 
artillery,  a  twenty-four-pound  gun,  which  opened  on  Han 
cock  and  served  to  scatter  the  enemy  congregated  there,  if 
it  did  no  further  execution.  After  the  firing  ceased,  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night  and  awoke  in  the  morning  with  a 
foot  or  more  of  snow  on  us. 

On  the  8th,  we  moved  back  near  Berkeley  Springs  and 
encamped  for  the  night  in  the  snow.  Albert  Hooff  and 
myself  celebrated  Jackson's  day  with  a  personal  encounter, 
in  which  the  advantage  was  with  me  in  the  outset,  but  as  the 
tide  was  turning,  fortunately  for  .me.  friends  separated  us. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  33 

On  the  Qth,  we  began  our  retreat  to  Unger's  Store.  The 
day  was  bitter  cold,  and  the  horses  and  men  tramped  the 
snow  until  it  became  slippery  as  ice,  and  it  was  difficult  for 
man  or  beast  to  stand  up.  Our  march  somewhat  resembled 
Napoleon's  from  Moscow.  Reaching  Unger's  Store,  we 
turned  to  the  right  and  moved  to  Romney,  where  the  brigade 
remained  several  days  and  fed  on  Yankee  rations  abandoned 
by  the  enemy  in  their  hasty  retreat.  With  several  of  our 
company,  I  was  posted  at  the  bridge  on  the  Potomac  on  the 
road  to  Moorefield,  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Gibson,  whose 
family  was  exceedingly  kind  and  considerate  of  our  com 
fort.  After  holding  this  position  against  the  northwest  wind 
for  several  days,  we  were  called  in,  and  with  our  brigade 
ordered  back  to  Winchester.  The  shout  that  went  up  from 
the  brigade  when  we  learned  this,  evinced  as  much  heart  as 
lungs,  for  we  were  heartily  weary  of  this  midwinter  tramp 
without  any  spoils  and  with  much  hardship  and  discomfort. 
As  our  brigade  was  preparing  to  start,  Jack  Terrill  and  myself 
determined  to  precede  the  brigade  and  by  a  forced  march 
reach  Winchester  in  one  day  and  rest  there  in  comfortable 
quarters  until  our  regiment  should  arrive.  With  knapsack 
on  our  back,  gun  on  our  shoulder,  and  cartridge-box  at  our 
side,  toiling  up  and  down  the  hills,  we  walked  the  forty  miles, 
reaching  Winchester  about  10  P.  M.,  with  legs  so  tired  we 
could  not  sleep,  though  we  had  "  all  the  means  and  ap 
pliances  to  boot." 

Our  brigade  came  in  on  the  third  day  after  leaving  Romney 
and  again  went  into  camp  near  Stephenson's,  where  it 
remained  until  Banks's  force  advanced  up  the  Valley.  About 
the  first  of  March  John  Terrill,  Charlie  Manning,  and  myself 
succeeded  in  obtaining  transfers  from  the  infantry  to  the 
cavalry,  and  joined  a  company  raised  by  my  father  in  the 
summer  of  1861,  and  attached  to  Ashby's  command.  Horses- 
were  soon  procured,  and  we  reported  for  duty  to  this  com 
pany,  then  stationed  at  Berryville,  writh  Banks's  army  at 
3 


34  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Charlestown.  On  horseback,  I  felt  like  a  new  man,  and  con 
templated  the  war  from  a  much  more  favorable  standpoint. 

As  Banks  advanced,  Jackson  retreated  up  the  Valley, 
Ashby's  cavalry  bringing  up  the  rear  and  having  daily  en 
counters  with  the  enemy's  advance.  General  Banks,  after 
reaching  Strasburg,  soon  retired  to  Winchester,  and  he  and 
the  greater  part  of  his  force  passed  over  the  Blue  Ridge  and 
joined  Pope,  leaving  Shields,  with  about  10,000  men,  at 
Winchester. 

Ashby,  who  was  ever  on  the  alert,  followed  the  retiring 
foe,  constantly  reporting  the  situation  to  Jackson,  who,  being 
desirous  of  relieving,  as  far  as  possible,  Johnston's  situation 
at  Richmond  by  compelling  the  enemy  to  keep  a  strong  force 
in  the  Valley,  determined  to  advance  and  attack  Shields  at 
Winchester.  General  Ashby,  on  the  evening  of  the  22d, 
passed  the  outpost  of  Shields's  army,  and  made  a  brisk  attack 
just  south  of  Winchester,  in  which  General  Shields  was 
wounded.  On  the  23d,  General  Jackson  having  arrived,  dis 
positions  for  an  .attack  were  immediately  made.  The  main 
assault  was  made  west  of  the  turnpike,  on  the  enemy's  right, 
and  for  several  hours  an  animated  contest  was  maintained. 
Jackson  had  'in  this  engagement  about  3,000  men,  while 
Shields  opposed  him  with  10,000. 

A  most  favorable  opportunity  was  afforded  me  of  viewing 
this  engagement,  and  the  day  was  highly  favorable  to  out 
side  until  about  5  P.  M/.  Our  men  early  in  the  contest  gained 
a  stone  wall,  while  the  enemy's  line  was  about  one  hundred 
yards  distant,  on  a  little  slope  in  a  piece  of  woodland.  Regi 
ment  after  regiment  of  the  enemy  was  pressed  forward  in  the 
attempt  to  dislodge  our  men  from  this  position,  until  their 
line  appeared  to  be  twenty  deep  and  a  splendid  target  for 
our  men.  Both  sides  maintained  their  respective  positions 
for  about  three  hours,  when  the  Federal  trocps  became 
so  mixed  and  confused  that  all  organization  was  lost  and 
the  men  were  wavering.  A  forward  movement  at  this 
crisis  would  have  given  us  the  day,  but,  unfortunately, 


George  Baylor. 


?6  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

the  ammunition  on  our  side  was  exhausted,  and  the  men 
were  ordered  to  retire — a  move  which  gave  the  enemy  such 
courage  that  they  rallied  and  pressed  forward,  and  the  day 
was  lost.  In  the  beginning  of  this  fight,  a  call  was  made 
for  twenty  men  from  our  company  to  report  to  General 
Jackson.  At  this  time  a  Federal  battery  a  short  distance  off 
was  pouring  a  vigorous  fire  into  our  ranks.  When  the  call 
was  made,  it  was  accompanied  with  the  report  that  Jackson 
wanted  the  men  to  charge  that  battery,  and  volunteers  from 
the  company  were  slow  in  responding.  At  this  juncture, 
Charlie  Crane,  a  youth  then  about  sixteen,  rode  forward, 
saying,  "  Come  on,  boys,  we  have  but  one  time  to  die,"  took 
his  place  in  the  detachment,  and,  others  following  his 
example,  the  number  was  soon  complete.  Great  was  our 
relief,  however,  when  on  reporting  to  General  Jackson,  we 
were  directed  by  him  to  take  position  on  his  extreme  left 
and  report  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  outflank  him. 
Position  was  taken  by  our  squad  in  advance  of  our  left  and 
beyond  the  enemy's  right,  and  while  out  of  the  heat  of  the 
conflict,  we  had  full  view  of  all  movements  on  both  side? 
\Ye  fell  back  to  Newtown  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Then,  farewell,  home!     and  farewell,  friends! 

Adieu  each  tender  tie! 
Resolved  we  mingle  in  the  tide, 
Where  charging  squadrons  furious  ride, 

To  conquer  or  to  die. 

Scott. 

After  the  battle  of  Kernstown,  Banks  returned  to  the  Valley 
and  Jackson's  forces  retired  slowly  up  the  Valley,  Ashby  with 
his  cavalry  covering  the  rear  and  fighting  the  enemy's  advance 
at  every  favorable  opportunity  along  the  route.  It  was  on 
this  retreat,  just  south  of  Mount  Jackson,  that  Ashby  lost  his 
snow-white  horse,  the  pride  of  his  heart,  and  narrowly  escaped 
capture  himself. 

When  Harrisonburg  was  entered  Jackson  turned  to  the  left 
and  took  the  road  to  Conrad's  Store,  which  was  reached  on 
the  i  Qth  of  April,  and  his  forces  went  into  camp.  It  was 
here,  on  the  2ist  day  of  April,  1862,  that  the  "  Baylor  Light 
Horse,"  Company  B,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  was  organ 
ized.  Prior  to  that  time  the  company  was  comparatively 
small,  had  no  regular  organization,  and,  besides  the  captain, 
no  other  commissioned  officer.  The  new  organization  was 
composed  largely  of  men  who  had  enlisted  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war  and  served  one  year  in  the  ranks  of  the  Second 
Virginia  Regiment  of  Infantry,  in  the  famous  Stonewall 
Brigade.  Its  members  were  principally  sons  of  farmers  of 
Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  mere  school-boys,  who  had  not 
attained  their  majority  or  completed  their  education.  As 
now  remembered,  there  were  only  three  married  men  in  the 
company.  The  Orderly  Sergeant,  Seth  Timberlake,  a 
brother-in-law  of  Charles  Broadway  Rouss,  was  a  widower, 
and  called  by  the  boys,  "  Uncle  Seth,"  on  account  of  his 

[37] 


38  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

seniority,  though  he  was  then  quite  a  young  man.  In  its 
ranks  were  youths  who  to-day  stand  in  the  fitmt  in  various 
occupations  of  civil  life.  There  was  ex-Postmaster-General 
William  L.  Wilson;  Charles  Broadway  Rouss,  the  merchant 
prince  and  philanthropist,  of  New  York;  Charles  Hendersonr 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the  Reading  railroad; 
Hon.  W.  D.  English,  of  California;  Thomas  D.  Ransom,  a 
prominent  lawyer  of  the  Staunton  Bar;  William  L.  Thomson, 
a  leading  member  of  the  Atlanta  Bar;  H.  D.  Beall,  of  the 
Baltimore  Sun;  Julian  Hutchinson,  a  capitalist  and  member 
of  the  City  Council  of  Atlanta;  Timberlakes,  eight  in  number, 
all  gallant  soldiers;  Washingtons,  Mannings,  Terrills,  Cranes, 
Aisquiths,  Gallahers,  Alexanders,  Craighill,  Frazier,  Mason, 
Sadler,  Strider,  McClure,  Howell,  Hunter,  Lackland,  Seldon, 
Yates,  and  many  others  whose  names,  in  Virginia,  suggest 
pride,  prowess,  and  parentage. 

Robert  W.  Baylor  was  chosen  captain;  Milton  Rouss,  first 
lieutenant;  George  Baylor,  second  lieutenant;  and  B.  C. 
Washington  (afterwards  for  gallant  conduct)  was  made  third 
lieutenant.  Xo  arms  or  equipments  were  furnished  the  com 
pany  by  the  Confederate  Government,  the  men  owned  their 
horses,  and  Uncle  Sain  very  kindly  and  very  soon  provided 
us  the  very  best  pistols,  sabers,  saddles  and  bridles  he  had 
in  stock.  Everything  but  ourselves  was  branded  U.  S.  For 
the  carbine  we  had  no  liking  and  no  use.  Early  in  the  con 
flict  we  recognized  the  fact  that  the  Federal  officer  was  our 
equal,  and  that  our  chief  strength  and  superiority  lay  in  our 
rank  and  file.  If  our  opponents  were  fought  at  long  range, 
the  officers  had  the  opportunity  to  bring  to  their  aid  dis 
cipline  and  authority  over  the  actions  and  conduct  of  their 
men;  when  in  close  contact,  they  lost  control,  and  their  men, 
lacking  individuality,  became  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd; 
while  with  us,  every  private  was  a  general  and  needed  no 
guidance  or  direction  from  his  officer.  In  the  cam])  and  in 
the  field  the  Confederate  soldier  was  ruled  by  affection  and 
example,  and  was  treated  as  an  equal.  Especially  was  this 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  39 

the  case  in  our  company,  where  we  bore  the  relation  of 
brother,  cousin,  school-mate,  neighbor,  and  friend. 

On  the  27th,  the  company  was  taken  on  a  scout  to 
McGaheysville.  After  entering  the  town,  a  picket  was  placed 
on  the  western  limit  and  the  reserve  posted  just  east  of  the 
town.  About  an  hour  after  our  arrival  our  picket  was  driven 
in  by  a  company  charge  of  the  enemy's  cavalry.  The  reserve 
was  quickly  mounted  and  a  counter-charge  ordered,,  and  the 
enemy's  cavalry  repulsed  and  driven  through  the  town  to  a 
point  about  a  half-mile  beyond,  when  their  reserve  opened 
with  canister,  and  we  in  turn  were  forced  to  retreat.  In  this 
charge  my  father  was  severely  wounded  and  C.  H.  Isloer  was 
taken  prisoner.  My  brother  Richard  made  a  narrow  escape 
from  capture.  When  the  enemy  opened  with  artillery, 
Richard's  horse  became  unmanageable,  and,  in  plunging, 
broke  the  saddle-girth  and  landed  him  in  the  road.  Entering 
a  house  near  by,  he  ran  out  of  the  back  door,  jumped  into  a 
chicken-coop  and  got  up  on  the  roost.  This  would  have  been 
a  very  unsafe  proceeding  after  sunset,  as  the  chickens  usually 
occupy  the  roost  after  that  hour  and  it  would  have  been  a 
certain  point  of  inspection  by  Federal  soldiers.  The  Yankees 
made  diligent  search  for  him  and  even  looked  into  the  coop, 
but  not  turning  their  gaze  upward,  failed  to  find  him.  As 
soon  as  the  enemy  left,  he  came  out  of  his  hiding-place  and 
made  his  way  back  to  the  company. 

Though  my  father  was  seriously,  and  at  the  time  supposed 
to  be  mortally  wounded,  we  succeeded  in  bringing  him  off 
safely  and  back  to  camp.  He  never  sufficiently  recovered  to 
enter  active  service  again,  and  Lieutenant  Rouss  took  com 
mand  of  the  company.  The  enemy's  force  in  this  skirmish 
was  composed  of  two  regiments  of  infantry,  two  companies 
of  cavalry,  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  under  the  command  of 
General  Hatch,  while  our  force  was  about  40  men.  The 
enemy's  loss  was  two  killed  and  three  wounded.  Our  loss, 
one  wounded  and  one  prisoner. 


40  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Banks,  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  says : 

"  General  Hatch  made  a  reconnoisance  in*force  yesterday. 
Two  of  our  men  were  wounded,  one  mortally.  Five  of  the 
enemy  were  killed  and  five  wounded  in  the  skirmish/' 

Shortly  after  this  skirmish,  Jackson  commenced  the  execu 
tion  of  his  plan  to  clear  the  Valley  of  the  Federal  troops.  His 
small  force  being  reinforced  with  Ewell's  Division,  he  left 
Ewell  at  Conrad's  Store,  moved  swiftly  through  Staunton, 
united  his  force  with  that  of  General  Edward  Johnson,  and 
on  the  8th  of  May,  at  McDowell,  routed  Milroy's  command. 
Then,  turning  back  to  the  Valley,  he  united  his  force  with 
Ewell's  at  New  Market,  Banks  having  in  the  mean  time 
fallen  back  to  Strasburg.  From  New  Market,  Jackson 
crossed  the  mountains  to  Luray  and  moved  down  the  Front 
Royal  road,  leaving  only  four  companies  of  cavalry  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  (our  company  among  the  number)  to 
watch  the  enemy's  movements  in  that  quarter. 

Our  little  command  proceeded  cautiously  down  the  Valley 
to  Woodstock,  when  Jackson's  guns  were  heard  at  Front 
Royal.  Being  assured  Jackson  would  drive  Banks  before 
him,  we  approached  Strasburg  just  as  Jackson  was  striking 
the  enemy  at  Middletown.  Several  thousand  Federal  troops 
were  cut  off  at  Strasburg  and  were  ready  to  surrender,  if 
any  considerable  force  had  presented  itself,  but  our  little 
cavalry  band  was  too  small  and  an  attack  deemed  imprudent. 
No  part  of  Jackson's  command  turning  their  attention  to 
these  Federal  troops,  on  the  night  of  the  24th  they  escaped 
through  the  mountains  westward. 

On  the  morning  of  the  25th,  our  company  entered 
Strasburg,  picked  up  some  straggling  prisoners,  captured 
many  stores,  and  then  joined  Jackson  near  Winchester. 
After  Banks's  defeat  at  that  point,  the  company  was  ordered 
in  the  direction  of  Charlestown,  which  place  we  entered  the 
day  following,  finding  a  considerable  amount  of  abandoned 
stores,  but  as  we  had  no  means  of  removing  them,  the  enemy 


Robt.  W.  Baylor,  Jr. 


$2  Hull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

returned  the  next  day,  drove  us  out,  and  destroyed  them.  As 
these  stores  were  burning,  General  Winder,«with  the  Stone 
wall  Brigade,  put  in  an  appearance,  and  the  enemy  hastily 
retreated.  On  this  occasion  the  market-house  and  railroad 
station  were  destroyed  by  the  enemy.  General  Winder  moved 
with  his  brigade  to  the  vicinity  of  Harper's  Ferry:.but  on  the 
3Oth  received  orders  to  retire  up  the  Valley  with  infantry 
and  cavalry,  which  order  was  executed,  the  cavalry  reaching 
Strasburg  on  the  3ist,  where  we  found  General  Jackson 
engaged  with  Fremont's  advance  on  the  Wardensville  road. 

On  June  ist,  all  of  Jackson's  troops  having  reached  Stras- 
bnrg,  he  began  the  famous  retreat  up  the  Valley  with  Fre 
mont  directly  in  his  rear  and  Shields  moving  up  the  Luray 
Valley.  From  every  hilltop,  Ashby  opened  with  his  artillery 
on  the  advancing  foe,  and  daily  encounters  took  place  be 
tween  his  command  and  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  so  delay 
ing  its  movements  that  Jackson  was  enabled  to  save  all  his 
prisoners  and  captured  stores. 

At  a  point  about  four  miles  southeast  of  Harrisonburg  the 
enemy  was  so  much  emboldened  that  the  First  New  Jersey 
Cavalry,  under  Sir  Percy  Wyndham,  boldly  charged  into 
Ashby's  command,  and  after  a  brisk  combat,  he  and  sixty- 
three  of  his  men  were  successfully  bagged  and  some  thirty 
killed  and  wounded.  Sir  Percy  was  much  chagrined  at 
being  dubbed  a  Yankee  by  our  boys.  He  had  made  many 
boasts  that  he  would  soon  capture  Ashby,  and  the  remem 
brance  of  these  boasts  only  deepened  his  sense  of  humilia 
tion.  But  Ashby  did  not  long  enjoy  the  triumph  of  the 
morning.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  6th,  while  in  charge  of 
two  regiments  of  infantry,  detached  and  sent  to  his  com 
mand,  leading  an  attack  on  the  enemy's  infantry  advance,  his 
horse  was  shot  and  he  himself  soon  after  killed. 

Ashby  was  an  ideal  cavalryman — bold,  dashing,  cour 
ageous,  undaunted,  and  pure  and  stainless  in  life.  He  was 
the  idol  of  the  people  of  the  Valley,  and  probably  no  one 
else  ever  enjoyed  so  much  of  their  love  and  admiration.  He 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  43 

was  of  the  true  type  of  chivalry,  and  to  know  him  was  to 
love  and  esteem  him.  His  men  idolized  him,  and  no  word 
of  reproach  ever  fell  from  their  lips.  His  great  fault,  if  indeed 
it  can  be  called  a  fault,  was  his  reckless  exposure  of  himself, 
in  order  to  shield  and  protect  his  men. 

On  the  8th,  was  fought  the  battle  of  Cross  Keys,  and 
Fremont  was  repulsed  with  heavy  loss. 

On  the  next  day.  Shields  was  attacked  near  Port  Republic, 
and  after  a  spirited  fight,  routed,  with  the  loss  of  eight  guns 
and  1,500  prisoners,  and  he  and  Fremont  raced  down  the 
Valley  faster  than  they  had  raced  up. 

To  Shields,  defeat  must  have  been  a  great  blow,  coming 
just  two  days  after  his  celebrated  order  of  the  /th,  which  will 
be  interesting  at  this  point' 

COLUMBIA  BRIDGE,  VA., 

June  7th,  2  A.  M. 
Brigadier-General  CARROLL, 

Comd'g  Fourth  Brigade,  Conrad's  Store : 

Such  is  my  anxiety  that  I  rise  from  my  bed  to  write  to 
you.  Captain  Keily,  who  will  hand  you  this,  has  just  returned 
from  New  Market.  The  enemy  passed  Xew  Market  on  the 
5th,  Blenckers  Division,  on  the  6th,  in  pursuit.  The  enemy 
has  flung  away  everything;  knapsacks  and  their  stragglers 
fill  the  mountains.  They  only  need  a  movement  on  the  flank 
to  panic-strike  them,  and  break  them  into  fragments.  Xo 
man  has  had  such  a  chance  since  the  war  commenced.  Few 
men  ever  had  such  a  chance.  You  are  in  30  miles  of  a 
broken,  retreating  enemy,  who  still  hangs  together.  Ten 
thousand  Germans  are  on  his  rear,  who  hang  on  like  bull 
dogs.  You  have  only  to  throw  yourself  down  on  \Yaynes- 
borough  before  him  and  your  cavalry  will  capture  them  by 
the  thousands,  seize  his  train,  and  abundant  supplies;  and 
yet  there  is  a  strange  want  of  enthusiasm  in  the  command. 
The  enemy  is  in  retreat  right  before  you.  The  men  who 
follow  him  have  no  train — live  by  the  way.  This  command 
can  throw  itself  upon  its  flank,  and  yet  I  am  pestered  about 
shoes  and  stockings  and  clothing  by  officers  like  Colonel 
Gavin.  Why,  if  the  clothing  was  here,  there  is  no  time  to 
get  it.  Take  5,000  of  the  enemy  prisoners;  then  there  will  be 


44  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

time  to  clothe  you.  Some  of  the  officers  are  discouraging 
their  men,  instead  of  putting  heart  into  them.  Officers  who 
do  so  at  this  time  are  not  worthy  of  their  places.  The  Ger 
mans  are  not  half  as  well  off  as  you  are,  yet  they  hang  on 
the  enemy  without  respite.  The  enemy  insulted  the  capital 
of  your  country;  he  is  in  retreat;  you  are  in  a  day  and  a  half 
of  him,  and  you  hesitate.  I  don't  mean  you  personally,  but 
some  of  your  officers  and  men.  This  would  be  a  disgrace. 
Can  this  be  my  boasted  Shields's  division?  If  an  officer  hesi 
tates,  send  him  back.  Go  on  with  the  men. 

JAMES  SHIELDS, 
Commanding  Division. 

When  Shields's  boasted  division  started  back  from  Port 
Republic,  no  further  complaint  was  made  about  shoes  and 
clothing,  and  the  bombastic  general  himself  was  much  like 
that  King  of  Britain  that  never  smiled  again.  Those  hesi 
tating  men,  upbraided  so  severely,  knew  Jackson  better  than 
Shields,  or  had  a  premonition  of  coming  events  and  were 
averse  to  stirring  up  this  hornets'  nest.  If  General  Shields 
had  remembered  the  message  of  the  King  of  Israel  to 
Ben-hadad,  King  of  Syria :  "  Let  not  him  that  girdeth  on 
his  harness  boast  himself  as  he  that  putteth  it  off,"  not  vaunted 
his  deeds  of  to-morrow,  he  might  have  lessened  the  abase 
ment  and  humiliation  of  defeat. 

A  few  days  after  these  engagements,  Jackson  crossed  the 
mountain  and  united  his  force  with  Johnston's  in  front  of 
Richmond,  leaving  Company  B  in  the  Valley  to  watch  the 
movements  of  the  enemy  in  that  department.  Being  sole 
guardians  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  we  felt  a  just  pride  in 
the  trust  reposed  in  us,  and  determined  to  show  ourselves 
worthy  of  the  confidence  of  our  commander.  After  the 
departure  of  the  army,  an  outpost  was  established  at  McGa- 
heysville,  with  pickets  on  the  road  to  Luray  and  Harrison- 
burg,  and  we  made  frequent  scouts  in  the  direction  of  these 
points  to  ascertain  the  location  of  Fremont  and  Shields.  As 
the  enemy  moved  down  the  Luray  and  Shenandoah  valleys, 
our  posts  were  advanced. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  45 

On  the  loth  of  August,  with  30  men,  I  started  on  a  scout 
to  Luray,  expecting  to  find  a  small  force  of  the  enemy  in 
possession  of  the  town,  but  on  reaching  there,  found  the 
enemy  had  moved  east  that  morning,  and  a  few  stragglers 
were  captured.  The  night  was  spent  in  Luray  with  our 
friends,  and  an  incident  of  the  night  had  much  to  do  with 
determining  the  movements  and  success  of  the  following  day. 

Hospitable  entertainment  was  accorded  me  that  evening 
at  the  home  of  the  Jordans,  while  Henry  Beall  and  some 
others  of  the  company  had  comfortable  quarters  at  the  Lion- 
bergers.  Mr.  Lionberger  was  then  quite  an  old  gentleman, 
and  having  expressed  in  the  presence  of  Beall  a  desire  to 
see  the  officer  commanding  the  company,  Beall  kindly  offered 
to  go  over  to  the  Jordans  and  introduce  him.  He  came,  he 
saw,  and  was  sorely  disappointed.  At  that  time  I  was  a  mere 
stripling  boy,  just  twenty  years  of  age,  weighing  one  hundred 
pounds,  and  not  very  attractive  or  warlike  in  appearance. 
Mr.  Lionberger  returned  home  much  disgusted,  and  so 
expressed  himself  to  Beall,  saying,  ';  What  can  you  expect 
to  accomplish  with  that  stripling  for  a  leader?  "  Beall,  like 
a  true  friend,  reported  his  remark  to  me,  and  my  blood  boiled 
in  my  veins,  but  I  said  nothing — only  thought. 

The  next  morning,  with  25  men,  I  started  on  the  road  to 
Front  Royal,  inwardly  resolved  to  do  or  die.  No  one  knew 
how  desperate  the  old  gentleman's  disparaging  remarks  had 
made  me.  We  inquired  along  the  route  as  to  the  enemy's 
position,  but  failed  to  elicit  any  further  information  than  that 
it  occupied  Front  Royal.  About  noon  of  the  nth,  we  had 
reached  the  vicinity  of  that  town,  but  had  encountered  no 
foe.  About  one-half  mile  south  of  the  place,  however,  we  came 
suddenly  upon  the  enemy's  cavalry  picket-post,  and  a  charge 
was  immediately  ordered.  Recklessly  we  dashed  into  the 
town,  capturing  the  cavalry  picket  reserve,  and  finding  the 
town  occupied  by  a  large  infantry  force.  Our  men  were  soon 
scattered,  pursuing  fleeing  Yankees  in  every  direction. 
Noticing  a  company  forming  in  front  of  the  hotel,  with  about 


46  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

40  men  in  line,  I  called  Henry  Beall  and  Charlie  Crane  to  my 
assistance,  dashed  in  among  them,  and  drawing-  my  pistol 
on  the  officer  in  command,  demandecf  a  surrender.  He 
turned  to  his  men  and  commanded  them  to  ground  arms-- 
an  order  quickly  obeyed.  Securing  the  officer,  I  directed 
the  men  to  march  out  by  the  Luray  road.  Just  then  another 
officer  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  he,  too,  was  made  prisoner. 
General  Redden,  who  was  in  command  of  the  force,  made  his 
escape  on  a  cart-horse.  Our  handful  of  men  \vere  soon  over 
whelmed  with  prisoners,  and  I  was  satisfied  we  must  beat 
a  hasty  retreat.  In  looking  up  our  boys  and  getting  them 
together,  I  found  John  Terrill  and  Bob  North  in  among  the 
infantry  tents,  slashing  them  with  their  sabers  and  ordering 
out  the  men.  Our  situation  was  critical  indeed,  and,  gather 
ing  up  as  many  of  the  prisoners  as  could  hastily  be  gotten 
together,  our  retreat  was  begun.  We  left  Front  Royal  with 
about  300  prisoners,  most  of  them  infantrymen,  and  among 
them  a  major  and  two  captains.  When  about  a  mile  south 
of  town,  the  enemy's  cavalry,  about  300  strong,  appeared  in 
our  rear.  About  15  horses  had  been  captured  from  the 
enemy.  On  these,  prisoners  were  mounted,  and  with  residue 
on  foot,  in  charge  of  15  men,  were  started  off  at  a  rapid  pace 
towards  Luray,  while  with  10  men  I  undertook  to  cover  the 
retreat.  The  enemy  was  held  in  check  for  some  time,  but 
finally  broke  our  little  rear-guard  and  succeeded  in  releasing 
the  foot  prisoners,  bu.t  those  on  horseback  were  brought  off 
safely.  In  a  running  fight  of  five  miles,  with  counter-charges, 
we  kept  this  body  of  cavalry  sufficiently  in  check  to  permit 
the  mounted  prisoners  and  guards  to  keep  at  a  safe  distance 
from  recapture. 

In  one  of  the  enemy's  charges  Baker,  of  our  company,  was 
captured,  a  counter-charge  was  ordered  and  Baker  released. 
In  this  engagement  George  Timberlake  was  slightly 
wounded,  Orderly-Sergeant  Seth  Timberlake,  known  as  the 
fighting  sergeant,  had  his  horse  killed,  and  my  horse  was 
wounded  in  shoulder  and  neck,  and,  though  losing  blood. 


Henry  D.  Beall. 


48  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

bore  me  safely  through  the  conflict.  The  enemy's  loss  was 
10  killed  and  wounded,  and  two  officers  and  13  men 
prisoners.  These  officers  were  Captains  Darrell  and  Baker, 
of  the  Third  Delaware  regiment. 

After  following  us  about  five  miles,  the  enemy  abandoned 
the  pursuit,  and  our  little  band  returned  to  Luray,  camping 
near  that  place  for  the  night. 

Comrade  Beall  relates  that  on  our  retreat  from  Front 
Royal  he  discovered  Tustin  Starry  standing  on  a  hill  over 
looking  the  town,  having  failed  to  follow  the  company  in  its 
charge,  and  upbraiding  him  for  his  shameful  conduct,  asked 
him  "  why  he  did  not  go."  To  which  he  coolly  replied,  "  I 
went  as  far  as  1  thought  it  was  prudent." 

General  White,  in  his  report  of  this  affair  to  General  Pope, 
says :  "  The  enemy's  cavalry,  some  25  strong,  dashed  into 
Front  Royal  yesterday,  and  captured  two  captains  on  pro 
vost-marshal  duty.  They  surprised  our  picket  and  guards. 
Our  cavalry  pursued  and  captured  one  prisoner." 

On  August  4th,  the  Army  Record  shows  General  Redden 
had  at  Front  Royal  the  Third  Delaware  regiment,  over  800 
strong,  400  cavalry,  and  a  battery  of  artillery.  General  Banks 
had  wired  him  on  that  day,  "  had  sent  him  Captain  Munther, 
an  engineer,  to  arrange  his  fortifications,  but  that  the  enemy 
near  him  were  not  numerous,  there  are  no  rebel  troops  in 
the  Valley,  and  only  guerrillas  in  your  vicinity.  If  you  are 
fortified  they  will  not  attack  you  at  all.  A  few  men  can 
defend  the  works,  and  nearly  your  whole  force  will  be  free 
to  attack  them.  No  better  opportunity  is  offered  for  active 
service.  These  guerrillas  are  outlaws.  It  is  not  recognized 
warfare,  and  no  engagement  with  them  should  be  regarded." 
Yet,  notwithstanding  these  precautions,  the  little  band  of 
Company  B  surprised  General  Redden  on  the  nth  follow 
ing,  capturing  the  town,  and  could  have  taken  the  whole 
garrison  if  it  had  had  men  sufficient  to  guard  them. 

When  Captain  Darrell  surrendered  he  was  wearing  a  gold- 
mounted  sword  bearing  the  inscription,  "  Presented  to  Cap- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  49 

tain  W.  B.  Darrell  by  Co.  C,  Third  regiment,  D.  V.,"  which 
I  promised  to  return  him  after  the  war  was  over.  At  its  close 
I  made  inquiry  after  him  and  found  he  had  been  killed  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  so  I  thought  no  more  about  the  matter 
until  I  received  a  letter  from  his  cousin,  living  in  Buffalo, 
New  York,  in  June,  1898,  asking  if  I  would  part  with  the 
sword.  I  learned  through  my  correspondence  with  this 
cousin  that  Captain  Darrell's  wife  was  still  alive  and  her 
address  was  furnished  me.  My  assent  to  return  the  sword 
\vas  readily  given,  but  I  suggested  that  the  wife  should  have 
the  preference  over  the  cousin.  So  I  wrote  to  this  lady  at 
Manchester,  New  Hampshire,  and  on  June  22,  1898,  received 
the  following  courteous  reply : 

Captain  GEORGE  BAYLOR: 

My  Dear  Sir, — I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  June 
2Oth,  and  hasten  to  express  my  gratification  at  your  kind 
ness  in  giving  me  the  little  history  of  the  sword,  which  ren 
ders  the  event  of  its  restoration  exceedingly  interesting— 
and  in  order  that  you  may  comprehend  my  ignorance  in 
regard  to  it,  permit  me  to  make  a  brief  explanation. 

When  the  Third  Delaware  regiment  was  stationed  at  the 
Relay  House,  Maryland,  in  1863,  I  met  Lieutenant-Colonel 
William  B.  Darrell  for  the  first  time.  This  was  after  he  had 
the  fortune  to  become  the  prisoner  of  so  generous  a  toe  as 
yourself.  After  the  exchange,  he  was  commissioned  lieu 
tenant-colonel  of  his  regiment  (and  later,  just  before  his 
death,  he  was  nominated  colonel).  We  were  married  January, 
1864 — and  in  less  than  four  months  he  was  ordered  to  the 
front.  After  much  active  service,  he  received  his  death- 
wound  at  the  Welclon  railroad  battle  before  Petersburg, 
Virginia,  June  18,  1864.  He  was  but  twenty-four  years  of 
age.  Our  lives  were  so  full  of  immediate  events — and  the 
terrible  shock  of  his  death,  which  came  to  me  when  but  little 
more  than  a  child,  crowded  out  all  memory  of  his  former 
experiences  and  his  capture,  if  he  ever  recounted  them  to  me 
in  detail — and  I  was  oblivious  of  the  incident  of  the  sword 
until  his  cousin,  Mrs.  Margaret  Said  Gail,  wrote  me  that  she 
had  been  seeking  for  it  for  years,  and  at  last  was  rewarded  by 
finding  its  faithful  keeper.  She  asked  if  I  would  be  willing 
4 


50  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

for  her  to  have  it,  to  which  I  assented,  not  through  any  indif 
ference,  I  do  assure  you,  but  through  a  spirit  of  unselfish 
willingness  to  yield  to  her  a  trophy  so  coveted,  and  indeed 
deserved,  by  her  for  her  perseverance  in  securing  it.  I  greatly 
appreciate  your  kind  thoughtfulness  in  requesting  my  con 
sent  before  handing  it  to  Mrs.  Gail,  and  let  me  thank  you, 
Captain  Baylor,  for  keeping  so  sacredly  the  promise  you 
made  to  your  prisoner,  which  shows  wonderful  integrity  of 
character,  and  which  has  given  such  satisfaction,  even  if 
melancholy  in  sentiment,  to  his  beloved  ones.  It  greatly 
enhances  its  value — and  if  I  erred  in  supposing  you  were  one 
of  his  own  loyal  officers,  I  take  great  pleasure  in  recognizing 
you  as  an  honorable  officer  in  a  "  cause  which  you  believed 
just  "  — and  the  differences  that  existed  then,  are,  I  hope, 
obliterated  by  years  and  the  common  call  which  unites  our 
whole  country  to-day  against  the  most  cruel  monarchy  of 
Europe.  Very  respectfully  and  gratefully  yours, 

VIRGINIA  DARRELL  GRAFTON. 

After  receiving  this  letter,  the  sword  was  forwarded  by 
express  to  Mrs.  Gail,  in  Buffalo,  and  the  following  letter 
acknowledging  its  receipt  received : 

374  RICHMOND  AVENUE, 

Buffalo,  New  York. 
My  Dear  Mr.  BAYLOR: 

Please  pardon  my  not  writing  you  sooner  thanking  you 
for  the  sword.  I  appreciate  your  goodness  and  kindness  in 
giving  it  to  me,  for  it  certainly  was  noble  in  you  to  give  it  up, 
for  I  know  it  must  have  been  dear  to  you,  having  been  in 
your  possession  so  long.  My  son  was  more  than  happy  the 
day  it  came,  and  it  now  hangs  on  the  wall  in  his  room.  If 
you  or  your  family  ever  come  to  Buffalo,  my  husband  and  I 
will  be  pleased  to  return  the  kindness  you  have  done  us.  My 
daughter  was  delighted  to  make  you  a  member  of  the  "  Red 
Cross  Society."  I  think  she  wrote  you  yesterday.  Thanking 
you  again,  I  remain  very  respectfully, 

MARGARET  S.  GAIL. 

There  is  an  incident  connected  with  the  Front  Royal  raid, 
told  me  by  Dr.  R.  C.  Buck,  then  a  boy  in  his  teens,  worthy 
of  narration  here : 


Daniel  F.  Bell. 


5*  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Dr.  William  Marshall,  now  a  resident  of  Milford,  Delaware, 
was  at  the  time  of  this  raid  surgeon  of  the0  Third  Delaware 
regiment,  and  from  all  1  know  and  have  heard  of  him,  a  very 
estimable  gentleman.     While  this  regiment  was  stationed  at 
Front  Royal  he  had  taken  comfortable  quarters  at  the  resi 
dence  of  Mr.  William  Buck  (father  of  Dr.  R.  C.  Buck),  just 
south  of  the  town,  and  was  very  much  esteemed  by  the  Buck 
family  for  his  uniform  courtesy  and  kindness.     On  the  morn 
ing  of  the  raid  he  said  to  Mrs.  Buck,  "  It  may  appear  silly 
to  you  for  me  to  say  it,  but  I  dreamed  last  night  of  being 
captured  by  the  bushwhackers,  and  it  has  made  such  a  strong 
impression  on  my  mind  that  I  cannot  throw  it  off."     Mrs. 
Buck  laughingly  told  him,  "  Why,  Doctor,  you  should  \vear 
your  green  sash  for  protection."    "  Oh,"  he  replied,  "  I  dis 
like  to  be  decked  out  with  gingerbread  decorations."     As  he 
left  the  house  after  breakfast  Mrs.  Buck  requested  him  to 
bring  her  a  bottle  of  vinegar  out  of  his  hospital  supplies, 
which  he  promised  to  do.     He  had  visited  his  patients  at  the 
hospital,  and  was  walking  down  the  street  on  the  road  to 
dinner,  when  the  Rebs  entered    the    town,  and    seeing  his 
shoulder  straps,  supposed  him  an  officer  of  rank  in  the  line 
and  gobbled  him  up.     Speedily  mounting  him  on  a  horse, 
without  saddle  or  bridle,  his  captor  seized  the  halter-strap, 
and  the  Doctor  was  hustled  out  of  town  in  a  mode  and  man 
ner  not  the  most  agreeable.   When  about  three  miles  south  of 
the  town,  the  enemy  still  driving  us,  the  Doctor  having  been 
bounced  up  and  down  until  his  agony  had  become   unen 
durable,  in  desperation  he  slipped  off  the  rump  of  the  horse, 
made  for  the  bushes  and  escaped.      Dr.   Buck  says,  having 
heard   of  the    Doctor's    capture,    he   promptly   claimed   his 
pistol  and  sword,  which  were  left  in  his  room  at  his  father's 
house,  as  his  part  of  the  spoils,  but,  unfortunately  for  him, 
just  as  the  sun  was  sinking  behind  the  hills,  in  walked  the 
Doctor,  dusty  and  dirty,  and  while  he  was  pleased  to  see  him, 
could  not  but  feel  a  boy's  disappointment  at  not  being:  the 
possessor  of  the  pistol  and  sword.     The  Doctor's  experience 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  5J 

with  the  bushwhackers,  as  he  is  pleased  to  term  us,  seems  not 
to  have  been  very  pleasant,  as  he  writes  me  that  "my 
escape — that  is,  the  manner  thereof  being  known,  too  well 
known  to  you  to  forget,  suffice  it  to  say  that  I  bear  the  marks 
in  my  own  body."  What  he  means  by  this  I  am  unable  to 
divine;  as  I  am  credibly  informed  he  was  not  wounded,  he 
must  have  -suffered  ill-effects  from  his  bare-back  ride.  If  he 
uses  this  figure  of  speech  to  express  his  utter  abhorrence  of 
the  wild  Mazeppa  ride  on  that  occasion,  I  cannot  find  fault 
with  him  for  so  doing.  If  he  still  treasures  up  the  wrong 
against  me,  it  may  be  some  consolation  for  him  to  know  that 
his  people,  in  the  February  following,  gave  me  a  bare-back 
ride  in  return. 

"  For  time  at  last  sets  all  things  even — 
And  if  we  do  but  watch  the  hour, 
There  never  yet  was  human  power 
Which  could  evade,  if  unforgiven, 
The  patient  search  and  vigil  long 
Of  him  who  treasures  up  a  wrong." 

On  our  return  to  Luray,  the  company  met  with  an  ovation 
and  were  feasted  right  royally.  All  doubts  as  to  our  fighting 
qualities  were  now  removed,  and  Company  B  was  on  the 
ladder  of  fame.  Mr.  Lionberger  very  frankly  congratulated 
me,  and  was  ever  after  a  warm  friend  and  admirer,  and  one 
of  his  fair  daughters  composed  and  set  to  music  a  little  song 
dedicated  to  the  "  Baylor  Light  Horse."  Only  one  verse 
can  now  be  recalled  : 

"  At  a  town  among  the  mountains, 
Where  amid  the  sparkling  fountains 

Camped  a  host  of  Yankees  in  their  boasted  might, 
Baylor  boldly  charged  among  them; 
From  their  sleep  he  did  arouse  them. 
And,  like  Murat,  rode  bravely  thro'  the  fight. 

CHOEUS. 

"Come,  come,  come  boys,  come, 
Come  all  ye  who'd  live  in  story, 
He  will  lead  you  to  glory 
O'er  fields  cold  and  gory, 
He'll  lead  you,  boys,  where  honor's  to  be  won." 


54  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

The  good  people  of  Front  Royal  after  this  dash,  and  during 
the  war,  received  us  with  great  kindness,  %and  the  resident 
survivors  of  that  conflict  still  refer  to  this  incident  with  pride, 
as  showing  the  daring  of  our  soldier  boys. 

The  effect  of  this  raid  was  such  that  on  the  day  following 
Front  Royal  was  evacuated,  and  the  garrison  retired  to 
Winchester,  thus  opening  to  our  raids  the  entire  lower  Valley. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Thrice  hath  the  lone  owl  hooted, 

And  thrice  the  panther  cried, 
And  swifter  through  the  darkness 

The  pale  brigade  shall  ride; 
No  trumpet  sounds  its  coming, 

And  no  drum-beat  stirs  the  air, 
But  noiseless  in  their  vengeance, 

They  wreak  it  everywhere. 

Ku 

Returning  to  camp  from  the  Front  Royal  raid,  our  horses 
and  ourselves  were  rested  and  prepared  for  another  escapade 
down  the  Valley,  and  as  I  have  in  my  possession  a  letter 
written  at  the  time  by  a  distinguished  member  of  our  com 
pany,  giving  a  full  and  detailed  account  of  our  trip  in  that 
section,  I  will  adopt  it  as  a  much  more  accurate  account  of 
our  doings  and  proceedings  than  I  could  write  after  such  a 
lapse  of  time : 

HARRISONBURG,  August  26,  1862. 
Messrs.  EDITORS: 

In  a  letter  written  two  weeks  ago,  giving  you  an  account 
of  the  expedition  of  the  "  Baylor  Light  Horse  "  into  the  town 
of  Front  Royal,  I  promised  that  the  company  should  be 
heard  from  again  very  soon.  I  am  now  seated  to  redeem  my 
promise,  by  furnishing  you  with  an  account  of  our  recent 
successful  expedition  into  the  county  of  Jefferson — the  land 
of  our  childhood  and  the  beloved  home  of  our  riper  years. 

On  Wednesday  last  Company  B,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Milton  Rouss,  was  ordered  from  camp  at  Harri- 
sonburg  to  Mount  Jackson,  for  the  purpose  of  relieving 
Captain  Rinker's  company  from  picket  duty.  We  encamped 
for  the  night  on  Rude's  Hill,  and  arrived  at  Mt.  Jackson  at 
an  early  hour  on  Thursday  morning.  But  our  young  officers 

[55] 


56  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

could  not  brook  the  idea  of  remaining  so  far  from  the  enemy, 
and  determined  to  make  a  trip  down  the  Valley.  Leaving 
a  sufficient  picket  force  for  the  post,  under  the  command  of 
a  sergeant,  the  balance  of  the  company  (30  men,  with  Lieu 
tenants  Rouss,  Baylor,  of  Front  Royal  renown,  and  Roland) 
proceeded  towards  the  point  of  proposed  operations. 

Thursday  night  was  spent  in  the  beautiful  and  hospitable 
village  of  \Yoodstock,  where  all  that  was  necessary  for  our 
bodily  comfort  was  done.  Smiles  and  sweet  notes  of  music 
from  accomplished  ladies  nerved  us  for  the  task  undertaken, 
and  we  left  Woodstock  at  noon  on  Friday  in  the  best  possi 
ble  spirits — some  say  under  the  influence  of  a  variety  of 
spirits.  But,  'pon  'onor,  that  must  be  a  mistake.  We 
reached  Strasburg  in  time  to  partake  of  a  bountiful  supper 
served  up  by  mine  host,  Mr.  Richardson,  and  at  nightfall 
resumed  our  march.  WTe  reached  the  village  of  Newtown  at 
10  o'clock,  and  were  met  enthusiastically  by  almost  the 
entire  population,  men,  women  and  children.  Some  refresh 
ments  were  partaken  of,  and  then  towards  Yankee  soldiers 
we  again  proceeded.  (It  may  be  proper  here  to  remark,  for 
the  benefit  of  some  of  your  readers,  that  Newtown  is  on  the 
Valley  turnpike,  eight  miles  from  Winchester,  where  the 
enemy's  force  consists  of  one  brigade  of  infantry,  one  com 
pany  of  artillery,  and  290  cavalry.  The  pickets  on  this  road 
are  posted  one  mile  from  Winchester.) 

It  may  be  improper,  for  the  purposes  of  our  officers,  that 
I  should  discover  to  your  curious  readers  the  route  we  took 
from  Newtown.  It  may  be  possible  that  we  camped  for  a 
few  hours  in  Hampshire  county,  and  it  may  be  that  we  did 
not.  But  I  will  remark  that  we  travelled  nearly  alj  night  in 
almost  complete  silence,  the  only  sounds  heard  being  those 
occasioned  by  our  horses  pounding  through  brush  and  rock- 
breaks.  We  arrived,  a  few  minutes  before  daylight,  at  the 
place  selected  for  our  camping,  and  sunrise  found  us  snugly 
ensconced  in  the  bushes,  in  close  proximity  to  the  hospitable 
mansions  of  some  of  the  most  loval  men  in  the  lower  Vallev. 


Charles  J.  Berry. 


$S  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Here  we  quietly  remained,  holding  our  position,  until  the 
afternoon  of  Saturday,  when  we  emerged  from  our  conceal 
ment,  and  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  the  Winchester  and 
Potomac  railroad,  Lieutenant  Rouss  having  determined  to 
capture  the  mail  train,  if  within  the  range  of  human  possi 
bility.  The  point  arrived  at  was  midway  between  Summit 
Point  and  Wade's  Depot,  at  each  of  which  places  the  enemy 
had  a  force  of  80  infantry  and  five  cavalry.  The  distance 
between  the  two  depots  is  four  miles,  hence  in  either  direc 
tion  we  were  only  two  miles  from  the  enemy.  At  4  o'clock 
the  road  was  reached,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  sound  of  the 
engine  was  heard.  And  now  began  the  exciting  hour.  The 
music  of  the  engine  fell  with  more  consoling  effect  upon  out- 
tired  band  than  the  sweetest  strains  from  lovely  women. 
Eagerness  was  depicted  upon  every  countenance,  and  proud 
anticipations  were  indulged  in,  in  view  of  the  prospective 
reward.  A  quick  disposition  was  made  of  our  force,  and 
obstructions  were  at  once  placed  on  the  track  to  bring  the 
train  to  a  halt.  On  came  the  train,  which  had  now  reached 
within  100  yards  of  the  obstruction.  The  command  was 
given  to  halt,  but  the  frightened  engineer  took  no  heed  of 
the  command.  A  fire  was  at  once  opened  upon  the  speeding 
train  from  more  than  a  dozen  revolvers,  and  in  a  moment  the 
obstruction  was  reached,  and  the  train  came  to  a  dead  halt. 
The  engineer  was  at  once  dethroned,  and  the  cars  entered. 
The  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  secure  the  Yankee  soldiers 
on  board,  eight  in  number,  who  were  on  their  way  to  join 
their  companies  in  Winchester.  The  poor  creatures  looked 
the  picture  of  astonishment  and  despair,  and  submitted  with 
out  resistance  to  the  "  rebel  boys."  A  few  citizens  were  on 
board,  but  as  there  was  no  possible  use  to  which  they  could 
be  put,  they  were  permitted  to  go  on  their  way  rejoicing* 
only,  I  guess,  that  their  lives  had  been  spared.  The  agent 
of  the  Adams  Express  Company,  in  an  attempt  to  escape, 
was  shot  at  and  badly  wounded  in  the  thigh.  The  express  car 
was  entered  and  a  rich  exhibition  unfolded  itself  to  our  almost 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  59 

famishing  boys.  Baskets  of  champagne,  boxes  of  delicious 
peaches,  apples,  pears,  oranges,  lemons,  etc.,  were  discovered, 
and  "  pitched  into."  Never  did  men  partake  of  good  things 
with  better  appetites.  The  boys  drank  to  the  health  of  every 
body  in  general,  and  their  sweethearts  in  particular,  and 
jollity  and  good  cheer  reigned  supreme.  One  individual  of 
my  acquaintance,  very  near  to  me,  having  surfeited  himself 
on  champagne,  compelled  the  alarmed  engineer  to  tap  a 
ten-gallon  keg  of  cider,  hold  it  up  for  him,  and  then  with 
a  gusto  he  drank  to  the  health  of  "  Jeff.  Davis,  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  and  my  sweetheart  only  a  few  miles  off."  But 
we  had  not  made  the  dash  simply  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
eatables  and  drinkables.  Something  else  was  to  be  done. 
The  express  safe  was  opened,  and  United  States  money,  to 
the  amount  of  $4,000,  consigned  to  some  Federal  paymaster 
at  Winchester,  was  extracted,  together  with  a  number  of 
other  valuable  articles.  The  United  States  mail  was  also 
secured,  containing,  amongst  other  documents,  official  dis 
patches  from  General  Pope  to  Brigadier-General  White, 
commanding  at  Winchester.  These  dispatches  have  been 
forwarded  to  General  Jackson,  and  will  doubtless  prove  of 
great  value  to  the  old  hero.  A  number  of  letters  to  different 
parties  came  into  our  possession,  many  of  which  will  be 
valuable  as  soon  as  our  troops  regain  entire  possession  of 
the  Valley.  All  the  valuables  having  been  secured,  nothing 
was  left  to  be  done  at  this  point  but  to  destroy  the  cars. 
Fires  were  built  in  the  two  passenger  cars  and  one  express 
car,  and  the  pine  piled  on  to  facilitate  the  burning.  And 
here  a  sigh  involuntarily  escaped  from  some  of  us.  To  see 
the  old  "  low-back  cars,"  upon  which  many  of  us  had  made- 
pleasant  journeys,  consigned  to  the  devouring  element, 
brought  up  in  memory's  train  remembrances  of  "  Lang 
Syne,"  and  thoughts  of  mothers  and  sisters  near  came  rush 
ing  over  us,  for  the  old  train  had  been  the  medium  of  many 
happy  hours  and  pleasant  communications  between  us  and 
home.  I  felt  the  force  of  these  reflections  sensibly,  but  duty 


60  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

dictated  that  all  the  damage  possible  should  be  done  our 
ruthless  invaders.  The  old  cars  burned  rrjjignificently,  and 
the  fiery  tongue  of  the  flames  seemed  almost  to  lick  the  lower 
clouds.  Good-bye,  old  Winchester  train,  you  survive  now 
only  in  memory — your  uncouth  but  always  pleasant  form  is 
now  consigned  to  the  past. 

A  full  head  of  steam  was  put  on  the  engine,  and  with  the 
furnace  heated  k'  ten  times  hotter  than  it  was  wont  to  be," 
the  old  machine  was  started  in  the  direction  of  Winchester. 
No  tales  could  be  told,  for  she  was  entirely  unoccupied.  The 
progress  of  the  engine  up  the  track,  as  far  as  could  be  seen, 
was  rich  indeed.  The  old  thing  went  thundering  along,  and 
the  unevenness  of  the  track  caused  "  der  machine  "  to  tumble 
up  and  down  in  a  promiscuous  manner.  How  far  she  went, 
and  what  was  thought  of  her  progress,  I  do  not  pretend  to 
say.  The  engineer  declared  it  was  a  ruined  institution,  and 
that  the  trip  would  exhaust  all  the  vitality  the  old  thing  had 
remaining  in  her.  Farewell,  old  friend !  you  have  been 
blowing  a  long  while,  but  your  career  is  now  ended.  The 
uses  to  which  you  have  been  of  late  months  put  have  been 
too  base,  and  your  fate  is  a  fitting  one  for  your  sinning.  You 
are  now  beyond  the  hand  of  Federal  resurrection,  or  rather 
reconstruction,  as  the  Yankees  will  have  it.  The  telegraph 
pole  was  now  ascended,  the  wire  disengaged  from  the  pole, 
and  destroyed  for  a  distance  of  more  than  200  yards.  At  the 
time  of  cutting  the  wire  a  message  was  being  sent  over  the 
line.  A  "  stop  "  was  certainly  put  to  that  proceeding — a  stay 
in  the  execution  of  some  villainous  design.  And  now  we 
determined  to  leave  this  point,  but  not  to  beat  a  retreat 
towards  the  upper  Valley  yet.  Lieutenant  Roland,  with  13 
men,  took  charge  of  the  prisoners,  and  started  back  by  the 
route  we  came,  whilst  the  17  remaining  men,  under  Lieu 
tenants  Rouss  and  Baylor,  determined  to  penetrate  farther 
into  the  enemy's  country.  The  track  was  crossed,  and  "  for 
Smithfield  "  was  the  rallying  cry.  Smithfield  is  in  the  county 
of  Jefferson,  six  miles  from  Charlestown,  14  from  Winches- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  61 

ter,  and  five  miles  in  the  direction  of  the  Potomac  from  the 
point  where  the  track  was  crossed.  Approaching  the  town 
in  a  slow  trot,  we  had  arrived  within  about  a  half-mile  of  the 
place,  when  the  blue  uniforms  of  the  Yankee  pickets  were 
discovered.  Our  gait  was  unchecked,  and  the  pickets 
seemed  not  at  all  disturbed,  thinking,  of  course,  we  were  a 
scouting  party  of  their  men.  They  did  not  discover  their 
error  until  we  had  approached  within  20  yards  of  them.  The 
command  to  charge  was  given,  and  in  an  instant  the  three 
pickets  were  ours,  together  with  their  horses,  equipments, 
etc.,  they  not  having  had  time  to  fire  a  shot  at  us.  On  ques 
tioning  them,  it  was  found  that  the  force  in  town  was  14. 
The  charge  was  ordered,  and  thundering  into  the  town  went 
the  boys.  The  Yankees  were  taken  completely  by  surprise, 
only  one  man  having  time  to  mount  his  horse,  and  he  being 
speedily  overtaken.  They  failed  to  fire  a  shot,  and  we  had 
the  extreme  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  17  rebel  cavalry 
had  surprised  and  captured  17  Yankees  of  the  same  branch 
of  the  service  without  having  had  a  shot  fired  at  them.  The 
spoils  at  this  point  were  17  horses,  some  of  them  very  fine 
ones;  20  revolvers,  Colt's  army  and  navy  pattern,  of  the 
finest  quality,  nearly  new;  5  Sharpe's  carbines,  in  splendid 
condition;  18  Yankee  saddles,  bridles,  and  other  trappings, 
such  as  were  just  necessary  to  make  our  company  the  best- 
equipped  one  in  the  regiment;  also,  a  large  number  of  gum 
overcoats,  blankets,  etc. 

And  now  the  time  had  arrived  for  us  to  commence  our 
retreat,  if.  such  it  might  be  called,  as  we  were  all  loaded  down 
with  Yankee  prisoners  and  plunder.  I  will  not  be  indiscreet 
enough  to  tell  what  hole  we  creeped  out  of,  for  it  might  be 
stopped  up  should  I  do  so.  I  will  state,  however,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  "  Feds,"  that  we  \vere  not  far  from  Winchester, 
and  at  midnight  saw  the  camp-fires  on  Shultz's  Hill,  from 
which  we  were  distant  only  three  miles !  We  camped  for  one 
hour,  at  daybreak,  only  five  miles  from  old  Winchester, 
towards  which  place  many  of  us  directed  longing  eyes  and 


62  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

anxious  thoughts.  But  we  hope  to  be  there  soon  and  will 
not  occupy  ourselves  with  useless  repining.  0The  retreat  was 
conducted  with  great  discretion  and  we  arrived  safely  in 
camp  with  our  .booty  on  Monday  morning,  having  travelled 
about  175  miles  in  three  days  and  been  in  our  saddles  two 
nights. 

It  is  inferred  that  the  boldness  of  our  dash  caused  a 
fluttering  amongst  the  Yankees  along  the  line  of  the  road. 
It  is  fair  to  presume  that  General  White  became  considerably 
whiter  and  that  old  Wool  presented  a  more  sheepish  appear 
ance  than  ever. 

I  have  thus  hastily,  Mr.-  Editor,  given  you  a  few  incidents 
of  the  trip.  The  roughness  with  which  they  are  thrown 
together  and  detailed  must  be  forgiven.  I  am  tired  and 
exhausted,  and  will  endeavor  to  do  better  next  time. 

When  Company  B  makes  another  raid  down  the  Valley 
I  will  try  and  be  on  hand  to  furnish  you  an  account  of  their 
doings.  I  am  truly,  yours,  H.  D.  B. 

P.  S. — Since  the  above  was  written  information  has 
been  received  to  the  effect  that  the  raid  on  the  train  caused 
the  greatest  consternation  in  Winchester.  Preparations  were 
at  once  made  to  evacuate  the  town,  and  a  cavalry  force  of  200 
men  was  sent  out  in  search  of  the  audacious  rebels.  Berry- 
vine,  Wade's,  and  Summit  Point  were  visited  by  the  cavalry, 
with  the  hope  of  finding  our  boys.  But  the  birds  had  flown, 
and  General  White  faile'd  to  trace  the  direction  they  had 
taken.  The  engine,  after  performing  a  variety  of  antics, 
came  to  a  dead  halt  three  miles  from  Winchester,  and  expired 
from  sheer  exhaustion.  H.  D.  B. 

The  enemy's  account  of  this  affair  will  be  found  in  the 
following  telegrams  and  reports : 

BALTIMORE,  August  24,  1862. 
Hon.  P.  H.  WATSON, 

Assistant  Secretary  of  War : 

We  have  advices  that  yesterday  at  4  P.  M.  a  squadron 
of  the  enemy's  cavalry  stopped  the  passenger  train  between 


James  C.  Conklyn. 


64  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Harper's  Ferry  and  Winchester,  took  the  agent  of  Adams 
express  and  all  on  board  prisoners  except  two,  who  escaped, 
and  burned  the  train  and  cut  the  telegraph  Vire.  The  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant  Milling,  at  Smithfield,  a  point  west  of 
the  Winchester  road,  and  on  the  route  to  Martinsburg,  was 
captured  during  the  evening. 

JOHN  W.  GARRETT,  President. 


WINCHESTER,  VA.,  August  23,  1862. 
Major-General  POPE: 

The  railroad  train  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  thic  place  was 
fired  into  and  burned  this  afternoon,  the  mail  captured  and 
telegraph  wire  cut;  a  few  soldiers  coming  here  were  taken. 
With  what  mounted  force  1  can  muster,  I  am  trying  to  inter 
cept  the  marauders.  This  may  be  nothing  more  than  a  raid 
of  bushwhackers,  or  it  may  indicate  movements  of  the  enemy 
down  the  Valley.  I  give  you  the  facts  for  whatever  they  are 
worth.  JULIUS  WHITE, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

WINCHESTER,  VA.,  August  24,   1862. 
Major-General  POPE: 

The  railroad  train  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  this  place  was 
captured  and  burnt  by  a  party  of  Ashby's  cavalry  last  even 
ing  and  the  telegraph  cut.  I  have  had  the  latter  repaired. 
Workmen  are  clearing  the  track  and  repairing  the  road. 
What  mounted  men  I  can  command  are  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  JULIUS  \VHITE, 

;  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  August  25,  1862. 
Major-General  POPE  : 

Ascertain,  if  possible,  if  the  enemy  is  not  moving  down 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief. 


CAMP  BOLIVAR,  August  25,  1862 
To  Colonel  DIXON  S.  MILES: 

Sir, — In  obedience  to  an     order  received     from  Captain 
Henry  A.  Cole,  commanding  battalion,  bearing  date  August 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  65 

4,  1862,  I  proceeded  to  Smithfield  with  20  men  for  the  pur 
pose  of  picketing,  as  well  as  to  arrest  all  returned  rebel 
soldiers,  capture  their  horses,  arms,  and  also  to  keep  all  con 
traband  articles  from  being  conveyed  to  the  enemy.  Which 
duties  I  performed  until  Saturday  evening,  August  23d,. 
when  we  were  surprised  by  Baylor's  rebel  cavalry.  My 
pickets  were  first  captured  by  them.  They  then  charged 
through  the  village,  capturing  the  following  of  my  men— 
viz.,  -  — ,  making  17  in  all,  and  had  it  not  been  that  I  had 
with  me  on  duty  Sergeant  "Winters  and  two  men,  we  would 
in  all  probability  be  with  them.  The  rebels  numbered  from 
30  to  40.  R.  H.  MILLING, 

First  Lieutenant,  Commanding  Pickets.. 

This  honest  and  truthful  report,  it  seems,  was  not  very 
satisfactory  to  Colonel  Miles,  for  he  writes  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  William  D.  Whipple,  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  as 
follows : 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  VA.,  August  25,  1862. 

Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  receive  a  report  of  "Lieutenant 
Milling,  of  the  Maryland  cavalry,  of  the  loss  of  17  men,  while 
on  picket  at  Smithfield,  Va.,  on  the  23d  instant.  This  officer 
was  esteemed  trustworthy  and  attentive,  and  he  was  par 
ticularly  charged  to  be  vigilant  and  on  the  alert  against  sur 
prise.  His  report  is  unsatisfactory,  and  he  deserves  signal 
punishment.  I  would  advise  his  name  to  be  stricken  from 
the  rolls  of  the  army.  I  am,  Colonel, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  S.  MILES, 
Colonel  Second  Infantry,  Commanding. 

General  Wool  indorses  the  above  recommendation : 

HEADQUARTERS  EIGHTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

BALTIMORE,  August  28,  1862. 

Respectfully  forwarded  with  remarks  of  Colonel  Miles, 
and  recommend  that  First-Lieutenant  R.  H.  Milling  be  dis 
missed  the  service. 


66  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Adjutant-General  L.  Thomas  forwarded  it  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  with  indorsement  as  follows :  • 

Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  with 
recommendation  that  the  officer  be  dismissed  the  service. 

It  was  approved  by  the  Secretary  of  War  and  poor  Milling 
dismissed  without  a  hearing,  and  solely  because  he  was  the 
creature  of  unfortunate  circumstances.  There  was  no  lack 
of  vigilance  on  his  part,  his  pickets  were  on  post  and  surprised 
without  his  fault,  and  his  reserve  captured  while  he  was  off 
on  duty.  The  frankness  and  candor  of  his  report  ought  to 
have  commended  him,  and  I  feel  confident  that  the  Federal 
service  in  the  dismissal  of  Lieutenant  Milling  lost  a  good  and 
worthy  officer. 

On  our  retreat  from  Smithfield,  we  took  the  route  by 
Bunker  Hill  and  around  through  "Apple  Pie  Ridge,"  cross 
ing  the  Northwestern  Grade  a  few  miles  west  of  Winchester, 
making  a  complete  circuit  around  General  White  and 
striking  the  Valley  turnpike  near  Middletowrn.  While  we 
were  passing  round  west  of  Winchester,  General  White's 
cavalry  were  scouring  the  country  east,  to  intercept  us. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Their  eyes  are  flames  of  fire.  They  roll  in  search  of  the  land.  Their 
mighty  hands  are  on  their  swords.  Lightning  pours  from  their  sides 
of  steel.  They  come  like  streams  from  the  mountains;  each  rushes 
roaring  from  the  hills. — OXS'HIII. 

After  the  capture  of  the  train  of  cars  and  Lieutenant 
Milling's  command,  Company  B  was  not  long  idle.  Moving 
down  the  Valley  and  taking  lodgement  in  the  counties  of 
Clarke  and  Jefferson,  it  continued  to  harass  the  enemy  on 
every  favorable  occasion.  His  pickets  and  outposts  were 
daily  attacked,  and  communication  between  Winchester  and 
Harper's  Ferry  broken  until  the  2cl  of  September,  when 
General  White,  who  commanded  the  former  post,  unable  to 
keep  the  way  open,  became  so  much  alarmed,  that,  after 
spiking  many  of  his  larger  guns  and  destroying  a  large 
amount  of  his  stores  and  ammunition,  he  hastily  evacuated 
Winchester  and  retired  on  Harper's  Ferry,  by  way  of  Mar- 
tinsburg,  when  there  was  only  actually  threatening  him 
about  100  men  of  our  company.  This  move  led  to  his  cap 
ture  and  the  capture  of  his  command  on  the  I5th  following. 
The  situation  is  best  described  in  his  own  report  to  General 
Halleck: 

MARTIXSBURG,  W.  YA.,  September  6,   1862. 

General :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  in  accordance 
with  the  telegraphic  order  of  [Major-General  Halleck,  of  the 
2d  instant,  the  troops  under  my  command  evacuated  the 
fortifications  near  Winchester,  Ya.,  on  the  evening  of  the 
same  day,  falling  back  on  Harper's  Ferry  without  opposition, 
and  arriving  there  on  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  instant.  Owing 
to  deficiency  in  transportation  and  the  imperative  nature  of 
the  order,  as  well  as  the  authenticated  presence  of  three  or  four 
brigades  of  flic  enemy  in  the  Yailey,  it  was  impracticable  to 
bring  away  all  of  the  government  property  accumulated  at 

[67] 


68  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

the  post.  The  four  32-pounders,  mounted  on  the  works,  it 
was  found  impossible  to  remove  with  the  requisite  celerity, 
and  they  were  in  consequence  spiked,  the  muzzles  and  sights 
battered,  the  trunnions  strained,  and  balls  wedged  in  the 
bores.  The  carriages  were  broken  and  burned.  All  of  the 
ammunition  which  could  be  conveyed  by  rail  was  so  re 
moved,  leaving  about  one-third  in  the  main  works,  which 
was  fired  and  the  works  almost  entirely  destroyed  by  the 
explosion.  The  well  was  choked.  Of  quartermaster  stores 
some  70,000  pounds  of  forage  was  destroyed,  and  of  the 
commissary  stores  some  60,000  rations,  accumulated  for  the 
defence  of'the  place.  These,  as  well  as  the  tools,  etc.,  used 
in  constructing  the  works  and  the  property  of  the  several 
commands,  which  they  were  unable  to  transport,  were 
burned. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

JULIUS  WHITE, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding. 
Brigadier-General  CULLUM,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Poor  "White !  He  magnified  one  company  into  three 
brigades,  and  in  his  great  haste  to  get  away,  his  imagination 
created  intentions  and  embodied  forms  of  things  unknown  to 
him.  The  guns  were  very  slightly  injured,  and  a  large  amount 
of  property,  consisting  of  guns,  ammunition,  clothing,  forage, 
175  to  200  barrels  of  bacon,  and  other  valuable  stores,  fell 
into  our  hands.  The  good  people  of  Winchester  laid  in  their 
winter  supply  of  meat  and  groceries.  Colonel  Mallory,  in 
his  testimony  before  the  'court-martial  ordered  to  try  General 
White  for  so  hastily  evacuating  Winchester,  says:  "There 
were  abandoned  about  120,000  rations  and  about  190  to  200 
barrels  of  bacon."  The  testimony  of  the  various  witnesses 
before  this  court-martial  show  how  greatly  our  little  force 
had  impressed  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Thomas  H.  Ford  testifies:  "Question.  Do  you 
know  or  not,  whether  there  was  not  a  force  of  the  enemy 
constantly  around  Winchester  all  the  time  we  were  there? 
Answer.  I  do  know  there  was.  I  know  our  pickets  were 
attacked  almost  every  night.  I  do  not  think  there  was  a 


Chas.  C.  Conklyn. 


/o  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

night  passed,  but  what  you  directed  me  to  detail  one  or  more 
companies  to  reinforce  pickets.  We  could  hear  the  firing  on 
our  pickets." 

Question  by  General  White :  "  Were  there  not  frequent 
skirmishes  with  parties  of  the  enemy  by  parties  I  sent  off  for 
that  purpose?  Answer.  Yes,  sir." 

Major  A.  W.  Corliss  testifies :  "  Question.  Was  it  not  well 
known  that  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry  was  in  our  imme 
diate  vicinity  for  at  least  a  week  or  ten  days  prior  to  the 
evacuation?  Answer.  I  never  heard  the  number  of  the  regi 
ment;  I  know  there  was  a  regiment  about  there." 

Lieutenant  Carness  testifies :  "  Question.  Was  there  a 
cavalry  force  immediately  about  Winchester?  Answer.  Yes, 
sir.  Question.  Was  it  in  sufficient  force  to  have  taken  pos 
session  of  Winchester  and  any  stores  that  we  might  have  left 
there  at  the  time  of  the  evacuation?  Answer.  Yes,  sir. 
Question.  Do  you  know  whether  they  did  so  or  not  after  we 
left?  Answer.  According  to  the  best  information  I  have  got, 
they  were  in  there  about  the  time  we  were  out." 

On  September  2d,  the  day  General  White  evacuated  Win 
chester,  about  9  A.  XI.,  with  six  men,  we  attacked  the 
enemy's  picket  near  Keyes  Ford,  a  short  distance  south  of 
Harper's  Ferry,  taking  eight  prisoners,  with  their  horses 
and  equipments,  without  loss.  The  Federal  account  of  this 
little  dash  is  as  follows :  , 

TUESDAY,  September  2,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Bierney,  with  an  orderly,  went  to  Keyes 
Ford  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  reported  capture  of  Cole's 
cavalry  pickets,  and  ascertained  the  facts  to  be  as  follows :  A 
party  of  25  Confederate  cavalry  dashed  down  the  Kabletown 
or  River  road  and  captured  the  outer  vidette,  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  from  his  comrades,  and  forced  him  to  inform  them  of 
the  position  of  the  others,  who  were  at  that  time  in  a  corn- 
shed,  dismounted.  They  dashed  in  and  captured  the  party 
without  resistance  on  the  part  of  our'  pickets.  This  party 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  Ji 

of  Confederate  cavalry  was  led  by  a  Lieutenant  Baylor,  son 
of  the  notorious  Captain  Baylor,  or  Colonel  Baylor,  who 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Winchester. 

My  father  had  been  severely  wounded  April  27,  1862,  at 
McGaheysville,  and  reported  by  the  enemy  as  killed,  and  no 
doubt  this  gave  rise  to  the  statement  above. 

On  September  4th,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Massie,  with 
Company  I,  of  our  regiment,  and  a  squadron  of  the  Eleventh 
Virginia  Cavalry,  joined  us  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  on  the  5th 
moved  down  near  Darkesville.  On  the  6th,  our  company 
drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets  on  the  Martinsburg  turnpike,  a 
short  distance  from  the  town,  capturing  eight  prisoners. 
Ascertaining  that  the  force  at  Martinsburg  was  too  strong 
for  us,  we  began  retiring,  and  had  reached  Darkesville,  when 
suddenly  the  enemy  charged  our  rear.  Company  B,  covering 
the  retreat,  soon  faced  about,  met  the  enemy's  charge  and 
repulsed  it,  taking  some  dozen  prisoners,  killing  the  lieu 
tenant-colonel  and  12  men  of  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
The  Colonel's  saddle  and  bridle  graced  my  horse  the  re 
mainder  of  the  war,  and  was  allowed  me  at  the  surrender. 
But  the  enemy,  greatly  outnumbering  us,  charged  a  second 
time,  broke  our  column,  and  after  a  severe  struggle,  routed 
our  force  and  pursued  it  nearly  to  Bunker  Hill. 

On  September  6,  1862,  Lieutenant  Bierney  reports: 

''  Colonel  Voss,  with  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  met  the 
enemy,  and  after  a  severe  tight,  routs  them  and  takes  45 
prisoners,  horses  and  equipments.  The  enemy's  loss  was  15 
killed  and  a  large  number  wounded.  Colonel  Yoss  loses  two 
killed  and  12  wounded." 

And  Colonel  Yoss  in  his  report  says  "  he  had  the  Twelfth 
Illinois  Cavalry,  four  companies  of  the  Sixty-fifth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  a  section  of  Captain  Phillips's  Battery.  The 
enemy's  loss  was  41  prisoners  and  25  killed.  \Ye  had  none 
killed,  13  wounded,  most  of  them  badly,  and  one  prisoner." 

I  do  not  now  remember  the  loss  on  our  side  bevond  that  in 


72  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run, 

our  company,  which  was  two  prisoners,  not  actually  in  the 
fight,  but  captured  at  a  house  near  by,  while.getting  a  lunch. 
I  am  sure,  however,  it  was  not  as  large  as  claimed  by  the 
enemy  in  the  above  reports. 

On  the  7th,  Company  B  took  up  position  near  Charles- 
town,  and  remained  there  until  the  morning  of  the  13^1, 
when  we  were  attacked  by  four  companies  of  the  First  New 
York  Cavalry  about  a  mile  west  of  the  town,  and  after  a  sharp 
brush  the  enemy  retired.  In  this  encounter  Lieutenant 
Rouss  and  Carey  Selden  were  wounded.  About  noon  we 
again  entered  Charlestown  and  followed  the  enemy  to  Hall- 
town.  While  occupying  a  position  near  Halltown,  we  were 
surprised  at  seeing  General  Jackson's  advance  approaching 
on  the  Martinsburg  road,  en  route  to  Harper's  Ferry.  From 
them  we  learned  that  our  troops  were  moving  on  Maryland 
and  Loudoun  Heights  and  investing  Harper's  Ferry.  On 
the  1 4th,  Colonel  Massie  coming  up,  the  cavalry  was  assigned 
to  duty  on  the  left  of  Jackson's  line,  which  position  we  held 
during  the  investment  and  until  the  surrender  of  the  enemy, 
on  the  morning  of  the  I5th. 

The  sight  at  Harper's  Ferry  on  the  night  of  the  I4th  was 
grand.  Our  batteries  on  Maryland  and  Loudoun  Heights 
and  on  School-House  Hill  were  playing  on  Miles's  forces, 
now  shut  up  in  a  narrow  space  along  Bolivar  Heights,  and 
the  pyrotechnic  display  was  magnificent.  In  the  early 
morning  our  infantry  line  and  artillery  began  moving  up 
the  slope  to  Bolivar  Heights,  and  soon  the  enemy,  driven 
out  of  his  works,  took  refuge  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
ridge  in  easy  range  of  our  batteries  on  Maryland  and  Lou 
doun  Heights.  Early  in  the  action  the  white  flag  appeared, 
and  Miles  surrendered;  but  before  we  could  signal  our  bat 
teries  on  the  Heights  to.  cease  firing,  Miles  was  killed  by  a 
bursting  shell,  and  General  White  completed  the  terms  of 
surrender.  Jackson's  loss  at  Harper's  Ferry  was  very  small. 
The  enemy  lost,  besides  killed  and  wounded,  11,000 
prisoners,  13,000  small-arms,  73  pieces  of  artillery,  200 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  73 

wagons,  and  a  large  amount  of  stores.  General  Miles,  antici 
pating  the  surrender  of  his  forces,  had  issued  all  the  clothing 
in  stock,  and  on  the  I5th,  when  the  Federal  troops  were 
drawn  up  in  line  preparatory  to  surrender,  they  all  appeared 
in  new  suits,  and  made  quite  an  imposing  display  in  contrast 
with  our  foot-sore,  weary,  and  ragged  veterans.  As  our 
troops  were  passing  in  front  of  the  Federal  column  and  the 
Yankees  and  our  men  were  guying  each  other,  a  "  blue- 
belly  "  called  out,  "  Hello,  Johnny,  why  don't  you  wear 
better  clothes?"  and  in  an  instant  came  the  retort  from  an 
old  North  Carolinian,  "  These  are  good  enough  to  kill 
hogs  in." 

The  Federal  prisoners  were  paroled,  and,  Jackson  having 
finished  his  work  at  Harper's  Ferry,  on  the  I5th  we  took  up 
our  line  of  march  for  Sharpsburg,  and  took  part  in  that 
memorable  engagement,  and  found  it  an  exceedingly  hot 
contest.  We  were,  with  three  companies  of  our  regiment, 
placed  in  a  position  to  protect  one  of  our  batteries — the 
most  trying  duty  of  a  soldier  on  the  field  of  battle.  After  a 
severe  conflict,  both  sides  became  exhausted  and  seemed 
willing  to  rest  from  their  labors. 

On  the  1 8th,  Company  B  was  ordered  back  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  with  instructions  to  picket  the  Potomac  at  that  point 
and  report  any  movement  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction. 
This  position  was  held  by  our  company  until  the  enemy 
crossed  in  force  and  drove  us  back  to  Halltown.  We  re 
mained  at  Halltown  until  the  i6th  of  October,  when  a 
column  of  the  enemy  under  General  Hancock  advanced,  and, 
after  a  brisk  fight  just  east  of  Charlestown,  our  small  force 
of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Mumford  was  driven  back,  and 
Charlestown  was  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  I7th,  General  Hancock  withdrew 
his  command  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  Charlestown  was  again 
occupied  by  us  and  pickets  posted  at  Halltown.  General 
McClellan  having  now  crossed  the  Potomac  east  of  the  Blue 
Ridge,  began  his  march  southward,  and  General  Lee,  who 


74  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

had  been  resting  his  army  near  Bunker  Hill,  moved  across 
the  mountains  to  confront  him,  but  our  company  was  left 
at  its  post. 

On  November  ist,  while  our  company  reserve  was  occupy 
ing  a  little  woods  on  the  Brown  farm,  we  were  surprised  in 
our  camp  in  the  early  morning  by  a  dash  made  by  the 
enemy's  cavalry.  Our  horses  were  unsaddled  and  unbridled 
and  tied  to  trees.  Awakening  from  our  slumbers  and  real 
izing  the  situation,  we  fought  the  enemy  on  foot  and  drove 
them  out  of  camp  and  over  a  hill  in  our  front;  then,  while 
keeping  up  a  fire  with  a  few  men,  the  others  retired  to  camp, 
saddled,  bridled,  and  mounted,  and,  making  a  charge  on 
the  enemy,  drove  them  back  to  Halltown.  Just  in  front  of 
Mr.  Shaeffer's  house  my  horse  received  a  fatal  wound  and  I 
a  slight  one  in  the  calf  of  my  leg,  which  was  not  sufficient  to 
render  me  hors  dc  combat. 

I  led  the  noble  animal,  which  I  dearly  loved,  and  whose 
very  life  seemed  bound  to  mine  by  dangers  shared  and  daily 
companionship,  to  the  roadside,  where  she  laid  down  on  the 
green  turf.  Her  breathing  too  plainly  indicated  that  death 
was  near.  As  her  eyes  rested  on  me  in  fondness  and  affec 
tion,  human  nature  could  not  resist,  and,  kneeling  down 
by  her  side,  and  clasping  my  arms  about  her  neck,  I  wept. 
\Yhen  I  arose  she  was  dead.  She  died,  and  with  her  life 
passed  away  my  hopes  and  aspirations  for  her  whose  name 
she  bore.  The  dream  'of  my  young  life  vanished,  and  the 
hopes  of  the  future  were  dissipated. 

The  enemy  having  made  a  stand  at  Halltown,  our  com 
pany  passed  unobserved  to  the  south  of  the  turnpike,  in  the 
rear  of  Rion  Hall,  coming  in  their  rear  just  east  of  the  town, 
and,  making  a  dash,  routed  and  drove  them  in  confusion  over 
the  hills.  In  this  fracas  we  captured  seven  prisoners.  This 
force  proved  to  be  Cole's  Cavalry  battalion. 

After  this  occurrence  matters  remained  quiet  in  our  front 
until  the  first  part  of  December,  when  a  column  under  Gen 
eral  Geary,  about  5,000  strong,  advanced  on  Charlestown. 


Charles  L.  Crane. 


7^  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Just  east  of  the  town  we  engaged  his  advance,  and  after  a 
spirited  contest,  were  driven  back.  In  this  fight.  Sergeant 
Timberlake,  Richard  Baylor,  and  Charles  Isler  were 
wounded. 

The  enemy  passed  through  Charlestown  and  continued 
its  route  through  Berryville  to  Winchester.  Company  B, 
falling  in  in  its  rear,  harassed  the  enemy  along  the  route  and 
captured  some  prisoners.  Geary's  cavalry  (Cole's  Battalion) 
kept  close  beside  the  infantry  and  could  not  be  induced  to 
part  company. 

The  remainder  of  our  regiment  was  stationed  at  Winches 
ter,  and  after  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  it  retired  south  on 
the  Valley  turnpike. 

After  occupying  Winchester  one  day,  General  Geary  re 
turned  to  Harper's  Ferry  by  way  of  Bunker  Hill,  Smith- 
field,  and  Charlestown,  having  accomplished  nothing  but  the 
loss  of  some  fifteen  prisoners  and  having  made  a  narrow 
escape  from  capture  himself,  at  Charlestown,  on  his  return, 
in  a  dash  made  on  his  rear  by  our  company. 

In  his  report  of  this  trip,  he  says: 

BOLIVAR  HEIGHTS,  December  6,  1862. 

Colonel :  We  marched  by  the  Harper's  Ferry  and  Win 
chester  turnpike  to  Charlestown,  which  we  reached  at  8:30 
A.  M.,  coming  suddenly  upon  two  companies  of  the  Twelfth 
Virginia  Cavalry,  who  had  taken  position  in  vacant  houses 
and  in  the  woods  abou't  three-fourths  of  a  mile  this  side  of 
town.  A  skirmish  here  occurred  between  our  advance  and 
this  body  of  the  enemy,  which  latter  prosecuted  a  constant 
firing  for  some  fifteen  minutes,  resulting  in  their  rout  and 
the  loss  of  four  or  five  wounded  and  several  horses  killed. 

JOHN  W.  GEARY, 
Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

General  Geary  is  not  very  accurate  in  his  report,  as  our 
force  consisted  of  Company  B  alone,  and  we  were  without 
any  help  this  side  of  Winchester,  22  miles  away,  and  it  is 
not  usual  for  cavalrymen  to  take  position  in  vacant  houses. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  77 

and  there  were  none  east  of  town.  We  fought  the  General 
in  open  field,  about  60  men  against  5,000,  and,  having  done 
the  best  we  could,  retired  in  regular  order  through  the  town, 
and  after  he  passed  through  we  acted  as  his  file-closers  to 
Winchester  and  back  again  to  Charlestown.  We  kept  his 
men  in  line,  and  gave  them  no  opportunity  to  plunder  along 
their  route. 

After  a  day's  reflection,  General  Geary  reports  as  follows : 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  as  an  addition  to  the  report  of 
the  recent  reconnoissance  to  Winchester,  that  in  the  skir 
mish  near  Charlestown  among  the  rebels  wounded  were 
Lieutenant  Baylor,  who  had  his  arm  blown  off,  and  Privates 
Isler  and  Timberlake,  all  of  the  cavalry.'' 

I  am  thankful  to  report  my  arms  are  still  on,  but  the  Gen 
eral  has  no  doubt  confounded  me  with  my  brother  Richard, 
whose  arm  was  broken  by  a  musket-ball. 

Company  B  continued  to  hold  Charlestown,  with  no  sup 
port  nearer  than  Winchester,  until  January,  1863.  On  the 
2Oth  of  December,  with  25  men,  we  moved  down  the  River 
road  and  attacked  the  enemy's  reserve  cavalry  picket  near 
the  double  toll-gate,  just  west  of  Bolivar  Heights,  capturing 
seven  prisoners,  horses  and  equipments,  and  as  we  were 
returning  to  Charlestown,  at  Lucas's  gate,  just  west  of  Hall- 
town,  encountered  about  200  of  Cole's  cavalry  under  Col 
onel  Yernon.  who,  it  seems,  had  started  out  on  a  raid  to 
Charlestown,  but  on  hearing  the  cannon  firing  at  Bolivar 
heights  had  turned  back  to  Harper's  Ferry.  At  the  first 
glance  we  supposed  them  to  be  some  of  our  regiment  from 
Winchester,  sent  down  to  look  after  us,  but  soon  realized 
the  true  situation  and  prepared  for  an  attack.  Five  of  our 
men  had  charge  of  the  prisoners  captured,  which  left  us  only 
20  effective  men.  Both  sides  charged,  we  met  near  the  cake 
and  cider  shop,  and  after  a  short  struggle  positions  were 
exchanged,  the  enemy  passing  on  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  we 


/#  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

to  Charlestown.     We  brought  off  safely  our  seven  prisoners, 

and   wounded  several  others  of  the   enemy.      We  lost  one 

I 

prisoner  in  the  fight,  W.  L.  Wilson. 

The  enemy  about  a  mile  east  of  Charlestown  picked  up  my 
father,  who  was  unarmed,  still  a  sufferer  from  his  wound, 
and  on  a  visit  to  some  wards,  but  I  was  not  aware  of  it 
until  I  returned  to  Charlestown.  I  met  Colonel  Cole  that 
evening  under  flag  of  truce,  and  after  inquiring  after  my 
father,  proposed  to  him  to  make  an  exchange  for  him  and 
Wilson,  first  offering  him  three  for  two,  and  finally  offering 
his  seven  men  for  our  two,  but  he  declined.  My  father 
remained  a  prisoner  from  that  time  until  late  in  1864,  but 
Wilson  was  soon  exchanged  and  back  with  the  company. 

In  a  volume  lately  published,  entitled  "  History  of  the 
Troops  from  Maryland  Who  Served  in  the  Northern  Army 
During  the  Civil  War,"  and  under  head  of  "  Cole's  Cavalry," 
note  the  following:  "  On  the  2Oth  day  of  December,  1862,  a 
portion  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  under  a  certain  Cap 
tain  Baylor  (who  had  achieved  an  unenviable  notoriety  by 
firing  upon  a  flag  of  truce  amongst  his  other  exploits),  con 
cluded  to  wipe  out  of  existence  Cole's  cavalry  and  moved 
rapidly  down  the  Valley  to  surprise  them.  Cole's  cavalry 
had,  however,  been  promptly  advised  by  their  scouts  of  the 
movements,  and  Companies  A  and  C,  under  Captain  Ver- 
non,  leaving  their  pickets  in  position,  moved  around  the  left 
flank  to  the  rear  of  the, attacking  column,  and  although  out 
numbered,  charged  them,  capturing  Captain  Baylor  and  a 
large  part  of  his  command,  driving  them  four  miles.  Cap 
tain  Baylor  was  subsequently  tried  at  Harper's  Ferry  for  his 
life  for  violating  the  laws  of  civilized  warfare." 

If  this  is  history,  it  ought  certainly  to  be  named  Ananias's 
history.  Ananias  and  Sapphira  would  have  enjoyed  the  com 
pany  of  another  shade  had  this  modern  historian  lived  in 
those  days  and  been  amenable  to  the  same  law.  The  false 
hood  of  Ananias  had  some  of  the  ear-marks  of  truth.  He 
sold  a  possession  and  kept  back  part  of  the  price.  He  rep- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  79 

resented  he  had  sold  a  possession  and  the  money  he  brought 
was  all  the  price.  His  heir  at  law  in  lying,  the  late  historian, 
has  also  some  of  the  semblance  of  truth  in  his  statement.  A 
fight  occurred  between  25  men  of  Company  B,  a  portion  of 
the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Baylor  (my 
title  then),  and  companies  A  and  C,  of  Cole's  cavalry,  under 
Captain  Vernon,  but  Captain  Baylor  was  not  in  command 
nor  was  he  captured  in  the  fight,  but  was  picked  up  alone 
and  unarmed  while  at  a  house  engaged  in  civil  business,  and 
had  never  fired  on  a  fiag  of  true  or  violated  the  laws  of  war, 
and  it  was  so  found  by  a  Federal  general  and  Secretary  of 
War  (a  court  certainly  not  biased  in  his  favor),  and  ordered 
exchanged. 

There  was  no  moving  rapidly  down  the  Valley  to  wipe  out 
Cole's  cavalry,  for  Company  B,  under  my  command,  un 
aided  and  unsupported,  had  occupied  Charlestown  for  more 
than  a  month  prior  to  this  occasion  and  for  more  than  a  week 
afterwards,  within  eight  miles  of  Cole's  cavalry  and  its  sup 
port.  Every  opportunity  was  afforded  them  for  a  trial  of 
combat  and  it  was  declined,  while  on  the  other  hand.  Cole's 
cavalry  kept  close  within  infantry  protection  and  under  the 
protection  of  their  artillery.  That  morning,  when  with  25 
men  its  outposts  were  attacked,  their  artillery  opened  on 
us. 

In  this  fight  the  only  member  of  our  squad  captured  was 
William  L.  Wilson,  our  ex-Postmaster-General  (who  is  a 
living  witness  of  the  fact),  and  therefore  a  large  part  of  our 
command  was  not  captured,  unless  Wilson  was  a  large  part 
thereof.  The  fiag  of  truce  violated  was  Uncle  John  Sorrell, 
a  faithful  oM  colored  man  of  my  father's,  standing  on  our 
side  of  the  Potomac,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  in  the  fall  of  1861, 
calling  over  to  the  Yankees  on  the  other  side  to  come  over 
for  him,  and  the  violation  was  committed  by  five  members 
of  my  father's  company,  concealed  under  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  railroad  trestling,  who  fired  into  the  enemy,  killing  and 
wounding  several  of  a  boat-load  of  Federal  robbers,  who 


8o  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

had  responded  to  Uncle  John's  call.  My  father  at  the  time 
was  in  Charlestown.  It  was  a  ruse  dc  guerre,  planned  and 
executed  by  the  men  engaged  in  it,  and  Uncle  John  was  a 
mere  decoy  duck.  This  was  legitimate  warfare  and  was  so 
decided  by  General  Kelley,  and  his  finding  approved  by 
Secretary  Stanton. 

Christmas  day  was  spent  in  Charlestown,  and  the  boys 
were  the  recipients  of  many  presents  at  the  hands  of  the  fair 
and  patriotic  ladies  of  the  town  and  vicinity,  and  all  enjoyed 
the  best  that  the  county  could  afford.  In  the  midst  of  our 
festivity  and  hilarity,  Colonel  Cole  and  a  couple  of  attendants 
came  in  under  a  flag  of  truce  bearing  a  Christmas  gift  of  a 
permit  from  Colonel  Kenly  allowing  my  mother  to  enter  the 
Federal  lines  to  visit  my  father,  which  was  gladly  accepted 
and  the  visit  paid.  Inter  anna  leges  silent,  but  not  the  hearts, 
and  combatants  still  preserve  some  of  their  humanity,  and 
occasionally  extended  each  other  little  courtesies  and  civili 
ties  which  served  to  ameliorate  the  hardships  and  severeties 
of  war. 


ins 


Joseph  Crane. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Eternal  spirit  of  the  chainless  mind! 
Brightest  in  dungeons,   liberty,   thou  art! 

Byron. 

In  the  winter  of  1863  our  brigade,  under  command  of 
General  William  E.  Jones,  encamped  near  New  Market. 
After  lying-  idle  several  weeks,  some  of  our  boys  grew  rest 
less  and  longed  to  be  on  the  move  and  to  break  the  mo 
notony  of  camp  life.  Permission  was  asked  cf  General  Jones 
for  the  company  to  make  a  scout  in  the  lower  Valley,  but 
the  request  was  refused  on  grounds  we  esteemed  unreason 
able  and  insufficient.  Plans  were  then  laid  by  some  of  the 
men,  including  Lieutenant  Rouss  and  myself,  to  outgeneral 
the  General.  The  camp-itch,  a  disease  peculiar  to  soldiers 
living  on  hard-tack  and  mess-pork,  was  then  prevalent  in 
our  brigade.  Taking  into  our  confidence  our  regimental 
surgeon.  Dr.  Burton,  one  morning  about  a  dozen  of  us  ap 
peared  before  the  surgeon's  tent  and  made  application  to  be 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Harrisonburg  to  be  treated  for  this 
disease,  and  certificates  were  accordingly  granted  us.  Re 
porting  to  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  hospital,  Dr.  Wad- 
dell,  a  Virginia  gentlerhan  of  the  old  type,  our  certificates 
were  presented  and  we  were  booked  as  patients  at  that  insti 
tution.  Without  critical  examination  into  our  cases,  some 
anointing  ointment  and  a  little  bottle  of  Fowler's  Solution 
of  Arsenic  was  furnished  each  of  us  and  permission  granted 
to  make  our  stay  with  friends  and  acquaintances  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  hospital,  with  directions  to  report  occasionally 
at  the  surgeon's  office. 

Having  now  arranged  our  program  satisfactorily,  the 
following  morning  we  started  down  the  Valley,  determined 
to  try  our  hands  on  the  Yankees  in  that  section,  well  assured 

[82  ] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  83 

that  a  successful  venture  would  make  the  amende  honorable 
and  sufficient  excuse  with  our  officers  for  our  little  deviation 
from  the  line  of  military  rectitude.  Our  little  band  of  about 
a  baker's  dozen  was  composed  of  Lieutenant  Rouss,  John 
Chew,  Billy  Manning,  Charlie  Henderson,  Charlie  Crane, 
John  Yates,  John  Coleman,  George  Crayton,  Billy  Gibson, 
Up  Manning,  Joe  Crane,  Duck  English,  and  myself.  We 
crossed  the  mountain  to  Luray  and  passed  through  Front 
Royal,  stopping  at  regular  intervals  with  friends  along  the 
route. 

February  I2th  found  us  at  Summit  Point,  where  informa 
tion  was  received  of  a  small  scouting  party  of  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  numbering  21  men,  passing  that  place 
a  short  time  before  our  arrival,  going  in  the  direction  of 
Middleway  or  Smithfield.  The  Federal  troops  at  that  time 
occupied  Winchester  and  various  points  in  that  vicinity,  and 
•daily  sent  scouts  to  the  outlying  country.  This  information 
greatly  pleased  us,  and  off  we  started  in  pursuit  of  the 
Yankee  scouting  party.  Passing  "  Happy  Retreat/'  the 
abode  of  one  of  our  sweethearts,  we  were  urged  not  to  pur 
sue,  as  the  enemy  was  too  strong  for  us,  but  we  had  travelled 
60  miles  in  hunt  of  a  fracas,  and  nothing  could  dissuade  us. 
In  fact,  we  were  spoiling  for  a  fight. 

As  Middleway  is  approached  from  the  direction  of 
Summit  Point,  there  is  a  straight  stretch  of  road,  probably  a 
mile  in  extent,  just  before  entering  the  town.  Here  the 
enemy  was  in  full  view,  slowly  sauntering  along,  totally 
oblivious  of  the  fact  that  any  foe  was  in  the  vicinity.  Near- 
ing  the  hill  just  south  of  the  town,  our  gait  was  accelerated, 
our  pistols  made  ready,  and  we  struck  its  rear,  with  the 
head  of  its  column  just  over  the  hill.  So  intent  were  they 
in  conversation  and  so  unmindful  of  our  presence,  that  the 
rear  file  was  shot  down  and  we  were  pressing  into  the 
column  before  they  were  aware  of  danger. 

No  resistance  was  made,  but  pell-mell  down  through  the 
town  they  ran,  with  our  little  band,  yelling  like  hyenas,  in 


84  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Rim. 

close  pursuit,  suffering  mostly  from  their  mud-pelting,  and 
closing  the  race  at  the  toll-gate  just  norj;h  of  the  town. 
In  their  mad  rush  for  liberty  and  freedom  they  knocked  over 
an  old  woman's  churn  in  front  of  her  house  and  sprinkled 
the  street  with  her  buttermilk.  As  the  result  of  the  fight 
four  were  killed,  three  wounded,  seven  men  and  1 1  horses 
and  equipments  captured,  with  no  casualty  on  our  side.  The 
dead  and  wounded  were  left  on  the  field.  With  the  prison 
ers  and  horses  we  returned  to  Summit  Point,  and  thence 
down  to  Locke's  shop,  where  a  stop  was  made  to  let  Lieu 
tenant  Rouss  have  his  horse  shod.  Fatal  stop.  The  smith 
had  nearly  completed  the  job  when  a  body  of  Yankee  cavalry 
was  seen  approaching  from  the  direction  of  Charlestown. 
The  prisoners  with  horses  and  small  guard  were  hurried 
down  Locke's  lane,  and  with  a  handful  of  men  a  dash  was 
made  on  the  advance  of  the  enemy's  column,  to  hold  it 
in  check  a  few  moments,  to  give  prisoners,  captured  horses, 
and  guard  a  little  start.  The  movement  was  more  success 
ful  than  we  anticipated,  as  the  head  of  the  column  was 
broken  and  thrown  into  confusion.  In  this  charge,  John 
Chew  and  Charlie  Crane  displayed  conspicuous  gallantry. 

The  prisoners  and  horses  had  now  gotten  a  pretty  good 
distance  in  advance.  We  therefore  fell  back,  in  good  order, 
down  by  Locke's  house,  through  the  Griggs  place,  striking 
the  public  road  leading  east  to  Feagan's  mill  and  west  to 
Summit  Point  turnpike*.  Here  the  advance,  instead  of  turning 
east  as  it  should  have  done,  followed  the  road  westward  until 
reaching  an  angle  in  rear  of  Slifer  farm,  and  then  attempted 
to  rectify  the  mistake  by  striking  across  his  farm.  At  the 
first  cross-fence  the  Yankee  horses  refused  to  jump,  and  the 
enemy  pressing  us  from  the  rear,  the  prisoners  and  horses 
were  recaptured.  Learning,  no  doubt,  from  the  recaptured 
men  of  the  paucity  of  our  numbers,  they  pressed  us  more 
vigorously.  At  the  next  fence  Manning's  horse  fell,  pin 
ioning  him  to  the  ground,  and  he  was  captured.  A  short 
distance  farther  on  Coleman  met  the  same  fate.  Having 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  85 

passed  across  the  Slifer  farm,  the  retreat  was  continued  down 
through  the  Dovenberger  place,  across  in  the  direction  of 
Porter's  factory.  On  this  trip,  I  was  riding  my  father's  horse 
Bony,  a  fine  runner  and  jumper,  and  keeping  in  rear  with  a 
few  well-mounted  men  to  protect  and  shield  those  with  weak 
and  less  agile  steeds,  when,  on  coming  to  a  ditch  in  the  field, 
my  horse  bounded  over,  slipped  on  the  ice  and  fell,  throwing 
me.  In  an  instant  Bony  was  up  and  gone,  and  poor,  un 
fortunate  me,  at  the  mercy  of  a  fast-advancing  foe.  Just 
south  of  me  I  spied  a  rail  fence,  which  in  an  instant  I  leaped, 
and  while  the  Yankees  were  pulling  it  down  to  get  over,  I 
made  the  best  run  of  my  life  across  a  wheat-field,  with  bullets 
knocking  dirt  over  and  around  me.  From  the  noise  in  my 
rear,  I  feel  justified  in  concluding  that  the  whoie  squadron 
took  a  shot  at  me.  Before  they  got  through  the  fence  I 
reached  the  Keerl  House  (now  Levi  Porter's)  and  ran  in 
the  front  door  and  out  of  the  rear,  down  into  the  garden, 
and  fell  exhausted,  under  a  gooseberry  bush.  I  soon  ob 
served  the  Yankees  in  the  yard  and  around  the  house,  and 
before  I  could  recover  breath  for  another  run  they  rode  into 
the  garden,  spied  me  under  the  bush  (poor  protection  in 
February),  and  made  me  a  prisoner.  My  horse  carried  off 
my  pistols  and  saber,  and  bore  them  safely  back  to  camp. 
\Yith  the  posse  that  captured  me  was  a  Lieutenant  Hill,  an 
exceedingly  gentlemanly  fellow  for  a  Yankee,  who,  on  learii- 
ing  my  name,  treated  me  with  much  kindness  and  considera 
tion. 

\Yhile  standing  in  the  garden  talking  with  the  party,  up 
rode  a  big  lager-beer  Dutchman,  who,  in  an  excited  manner, 
leaped  off  his  horse,  and,  giving  me  a  good  Dutch  cursing, 
placed  his  carbine  to  my  breast  and  said:  "  Kill  the  damned 
rebel."  I  sighed  inwardly  for  my  pistol  and  a  minute  of 
freedom,  that  there  might  be  one  less  Dutch  hireling  in  this 
country.  Just  then  Lieutenant  Hill,  pointing  his  pistol  in 
the  Dutchman's  face,  said:  "If  you  shoot  him,  I'll  shoot 
you."  This  brought  the  cowardly  scoundrel  to  his  senses, 


86  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

and  he  sneaked  away  like  a  sheep-killing-  dog.  The  attack 
ing  party  was  a  squadron  of  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  under  Major  Gibson. 

The  further  pursuit  of  our  men  was  abandoned  at  this 
point,  and  Lieutenant  Hill  and  five  of  his  men  took  charge 
of  me,  taking  me  to  Porter's  pump  to  allow  me  to  wash 
some  of  the  mud  from  my  face.  Colonel  Porter,  a  citizen 
and  gentleman  of  that  neighborhood,  kindly  came  t  down 
with  a  bottle  of  old  rye,  offered  me  a  drink,  which  was  de 
clined,  and  then  offered  one  to  my  captors,  which  they  gra 
ciously  accepted.  Thoughts  of  escape  then  entered  my  head, 
and  I  accordingly  gave  Colonel  Porter  the  wink  to  offer 
them  another  drink,  which  he  did,  but  to  my  sorrow  they 
all  declined. 

Xot  having  an  extra  horse,  I  was  mounted  behind  one  of 
my  guard,  on  a  blanket,  and  thus  ignominiously  located, 
started  for  Charlestown  by  way  of  Feagan's  mill  and  the 
Summit  Point  and  Charlestown  road.  When  the  gate  oppo 
site  the  Isler  House  (now  Carrell's)  was  reached,  I  met  Tom 
Rockenbaugh,  a  neighbor,  on  his  way  home.  I  spoke  to 
him  and  was  about  to  request  him  to  tell  my  mother  that  I 
was  a  prisoner,  but  not  hurt,  when,  putting  whip  to  his  horse, 
he  started  in  a  full  run.  My  guard  shouted  halt,  and  fired 
a  couple  of  shots,  but  he  never  slackened  pace.  When  I 
saw  him  next  after  this,  I  inquired  why  he  had  acted  so 
strangely.  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  If  I  had  recognized  you,  they 
would  have  killed  me,  sure." 

We  reached  Charlestown  about  4  P.  M.  I  had  entered  the 
place  so  often  as  victor,  and  felt  my  humiliation  so  deeply, 
that  I  covered  my  head  so  that  my  friends  would  not  recog 
nize  me.  My  escort  kindly  permitted  me  to  stop  at  the  east 
end  of  the  town,  at  my  cousins'  the  Rutherfords,  where  I 
borrowed  $20  in  gold  for  use  during  prison  life,  which  I 
anticipated  would  be  long,  as  at  that  time  there  was  no  ex 
change  of  officers. 

On  resuming  our  journey,  Lieutenant  Hill  kindly  offered 


Jno.  Coleman. 


•88  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

me  his  horse,  quite  a  nice  animal,  but  like  most  Yankee 
horses,  not  bridlewise.  He  was  anxious  to  ^et  my  opinion 
as  to  its  qualities,  which  I  readily  assented  to  give  after  a 
trial;  so  I  started  off  down  Hunter's  Hill  in  a  lope,  and  if 
the  guards  had  not  followed  so  close,  with  their  carbines 
drawn  on  me,  calling  halt,  I  would  have  given  his  horse  a 
fair  trial  through  Tate's  woods,  down  the  Kabletown  road 
and  away  to  freedom.  Those  fellows  were  evidently  mind- 
readers,  and  by  vigilance  frustrated  my  plans. 

Lieutenant  Hill  now  mounted  his  own  horse,  and  I  was 
placed  on  a  very  dilapidated  steed,  much  like  Don  Quixote's 
Rosinante,  which  bore  me  in  humble  style  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
vyhile  his  rider  took  my  place  on  the  blanket  behind  his 
comrade. 

When  captured  I  was  wearing  a  pair  of  spurs,  presented 
to  my  father  by  his  friend,  Hon.  Henry  Bedinger,  and  pur 
chased  by  him  in  Denmark,  while  minister  at  that  court. 
I  recognized  them  as  a  legitimate  prize  of  war,  but  riding 
along  the  way.  Lieutenant  Hill  asked  me  if  I  would  like  to 
part  with  them.  I  told  him  their  history,  and  said  that 
wished  to  retain  them,  I  was  aware  he  had  a  right  to 
Well,"  said  he,  "  if  you  wish  to  keep  them,  do  so, 
but  take  them  off  and  put  them  in  your  pocket,  or  some 
fellow  will  take  them  from  you."  I  took  his  advice,  put 
them  in  my  pocket,  and  brought  them  safely  back  to  Dixie. 
At  Harper's  Ferry  I  was  put  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant  of 
infantry,  whose  name  I  cannot  now  recall.  He  took  me  to 
an  oyster  saloon  and  filled  me  with  oysters,  which  were 
heartily  enjoyed.  After  eating,  the  lieutenant  informed  me 
there  was  a  ball  in  the  Ferry  that  night,  and  I  thought  he 
was  about  to  propose  that  I  should  attend,  but  on  the  con 
trary,  said  that  would  prevent  him  from  taking  me  to  his 
quarters  for  rest,  though  he  disliked  to  put  me  in  their  guard 
house.  I  thanked  him  for  his  courtesy  and  good  intentions, 
and  expressed  my  willingness  to  go  to  accommodate  him. 
He  then  took  me  to  their  prison  under  the  Presbyterian 


JL 

\|hile  I  wii 
them.     "  \ 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  89 

church,  on  Shenandoah  street,  and  I  have  been  a  little  shy 
of  Presbyterian  churches  ever  since.  If  it  was  Heaven  above, 
it  was  surely  hell  below.  I  appreciated  that  night  General 
Charles  Lee's  solemn  request  not  to  be  buried  "  in  any  Pres 
byterian  church-yard,  or  within  one  mile  of  any  Anabaptist 
meeting-house,  as  he  had  been  forced  to  keep  so  much  bad 
company  during  life  that  he  wished  to  avoid  it  in  death." 

The  lieutenant  advised  me  if  I  had  any  money  or  valuables 
to  place  them  in  the  hands  of  the  officer  of  the  guard,  as  my 
fellow-prisoners  were  a  disreputable  set,  and  might  rob  me. 
The  advice  was  taken  and  my  gold  'watch  and  $20  were 
handed  over  with  a  vague  suspicion  I  would  never  see  them 
again.  In  this  miserable  den  I  found  comrades  Manning 
and  Coleman  and  a  crowd  of  Yankee  deserters.  I  was 
much  pleased  to  see  my  friends,  for  misery  loves  company. 
Sleep  failed  to  weigh  our  eyelids  down  that  night.  Our 
couch  was  mud  and  dirt  and  our  associates  the  vilest  of  the 
vile,  fiends  and  devils  incarnate. 

Morning  was  welcomed,  our  names  were  called,  and  as 
we  passed  out  my  watch  and  money  were  handed  me,  much 
to  my  surprise  and  gratification.  A  guard  then  marched  us 
to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  station,  where  we  boarded  the 
cars  for  Baltimore,  arrived  there  about  noon,  and  were  taken 
to  General  Schenck's  headquarters. 

The  Federal  account  of  our  little  raid  is  found  in  the  report 
of  General  Schenck  to  General  Halleck : 

BALTIMORE,  MD.,  February  13,  1863. 

I  have  received  the  following  dispatch  from  Brigadier- 
General  Kelly: 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  VA.,  February  13,  1863. 

Yesterday  about  i  P  M.  a  squad  of  Baylor's  rebel  cavalry 
attacked  a  small  party  of  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cav 
alry  from  Kearneysville,  near  Smithfield,  killing  four,  wound 
ing  two,  and  capturing  six  men  and  several  horses.  About 
4  P.  M.  my  scouts  here  fell  in  with  the  same  party  a  few  miles 


90  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

south  of  Charlestown,  and  after  a  running  fight  of  several 
miles,  recaptured  our  men  and  horses,  and  captured  Lieuten 
ant  Baylor  and  two  of  his  men  and  several  Worses. 

B.  F.  KELLY, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

ROBERT  C.  SCHENCK, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

After  being  interrogated  by  General  Schenck  as  to  my 
whereabouts  when  he  chased  Jackson  up  the  Valley,  and 
politely  informing  him  I  was  at  Cross  Keys  and  Port  Re 
public,  we  were  ordered  to  be  taken  to  the  Provost  Mar 
shal's  office.  My  comrades  and  myself  being  more  of  the 
stature  of  David  than  of  Saul,  and  very  boyish  in  appearance, 
were  pointed  out  on  the  streets  of  Baltimore  as  living  evi 
dence  of  the  fact  that  Jeff.  Davis  was  robbing  the  cradle  for 
soldiers,  if  not  the  grave. 

While  in  the  Provost's  office  a  little  orange  girl,  seeing  we 
were  prisoners,  looked  on  us  with  kindness  and  affection,  and 
her  little  heart  burning  with  sympathy  and  compassion, 
quietly  approached  us,  while  the  guard's  attention  was 
turned,  and  from  her  scanty  store,  gathered  by  work,  priva 
tion,  and  suffering,  handed  each  of  us  an  orange,  and  when 
offered  pay,  refused  to  accept.  How  much  good  there  is  in 
the  world  we  wot  not  of.  Her  little  act  was  more  than  a 
sermon.  This  little  waif  of  the  street  had  taught  us  the 
kinship  of  all  men. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Three  were  in  a  dungeon  cast, 

Of  whom  this  wretch  is  left  the  last. 

Byron. 

After  several  hours  in  the  Provost's  office,  an  officer 
appearecl  (I  learned  he  was  the  Provost  Marshal,  Colonel 
Fish,),  who,  seeing  us  sitting  there,  said,  in  an  insolent  and 
contemptuous  manner,  "  What  are  you  doing  here?  Get  out 
of  here !  Guard,  take  these  rebels  to  the  guard-house."  I 
longed  then  to  have  a  chance  to  repay  that  scoundrel  his 
gratuitous  insult.  But  as  he  is  now  receiving  the  just  reward 
of  his  actions,  I  can  only  wish  the  penitentiary  may  reform 
him. 

Just  here,  I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  an  extract  from  my 
father's  diary,  of  date  January  25,  1864,  when  he  was  a 
prisoner  at  Fort  McHenry.  He  says: 

kk  My  paper  was  put  into  my  tent,  as  usual,  and  I  learned 
from  it  that  the  former  Provost  Marshal,  Colonel  Fish,  was 
confined  a  prisoner  in  his  own  negro  jail,  where  he  had  ruth 
lessly  confined  so  many  of  his  fellow-men.  Retribution  is 
sure.  '  Vengeance  is  mine,  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord.' 
Although  I  have  reasons  for  believing  Colonel  Fish  has  been 
very  vindictive  towards  me,  I  feel  for  him  in  his  suffering 
and  degradation.  It  cannot  benefit  me  to  have  him  punished, 
and  if  he  has  a  family  my  sympathies  are  with  them." 

The  station-house  was  a  dirty,  filthy  place,  an  unfit  habita 
tion  for  human  beings.  Shortly  after  our  incarceration  there, 
two  drunken  women  were  placed  in  an  adjoining  cell,  sepa 
rated  from  us  by  an  iron-grated  door,  and  Coleman,  who  had 
never  seen  a  drunken  woman  before,  seemed  to  enjoy  their 
alternating  extremes  of  piety  and  wickedness. 

[91] 


pp  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

About  6  P.  M.  our  cell  was  unlocked  and  a  squad  of 
soldiers  appeared,  who  conducted  us  to  Fort  McHenry  and 
put  us  in  an  old  stable  there,  used  then  as  a  military  prison, 
where  we  met  some  thirty  Confederates,  among  the  number 
Strother  Davis,  brother  of  ex-Sheriff  Davis.  This  building 
was  full  of  vermin,  and  I  roosted  on  a  roof-brace,  preferring  to 
risk  my  neck  at  this  altitude  rather  than  sleep  in  the  infected 
quarters  below.  Our  fare  here  was  exceedingly  hard.  Black 
water,  called  coffee,  and  hard-tack,  for  breakfast  and  supper, 
and  bean  soup  for  dinner.  No  meat  was  cooked  with  the 
beans,  and  none  was  necessary,  for  the  worms  in  the  beans 
furnished  the  requisite  grease.  The  coffee  was  made  in  the 
same  camp-kettle  as  the  soup,  without  rinsing,  and  appeared 
with  a  greasy  scum  on  top.  Is  Moro  Castle  worse  than  this? 

On  the  second  day  after  our  installation  in  this  stable,  most 
of  the  privates,  including  Manning  and  Coleman,  were  taken 
to  City  Point  for  exchange,  but  in  a  few  hours  others  took 
their  places. 

Imprisonment  in  this  foul  hole  soon  became  unbearable, 
and  I  determined  to  attempt  an  escape.  Preparatory  thereto, 
my  jacket  was  stripped  of  all  insignia  of  office,  and  dirt  rubbed 
in  where  the  braid  was  torn  off,  to  make  it  appear  old  and 
shabby  as  the  rest.  My  intention  was  confided  to  a  few  of 
our  men,  who  I  felt  could  be  implicitly  trusted,  and  who 
promised  all  help  possible.  In  a  few  days  another  exchange 
boat  appeared  at  the  wharf  to  take  off  prisoners  for  exchange, 
and,  as  their  names  were  being  called  and  they  were  passing 
out  by  the  guard,  I  answered  to  one  of  the  names  and  passed 
the  sentinel  unchallenged.  We  were  marched  to  the  boat 
and  embarked  for  the  trip.  But  an  evil  genius  presided  over 
my  destiny  that  day. 

I  had  been  on  the  boat  about  half  an  hour,  when  I  was 
startled  by  a  call  for  me,  and,  looking  up,  I  saw  it  proceeded 
from  a  Federal  officer.  It  unfortunately  happened  that  a 
couple  of  ladies  from  Baltimore  came  to  the  fort  and  asked 
for  permission  to  see  me,  which  was  granted,  and  the  officer 


Lucien  Chamberlain. 


94  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

was  sent  to  the  stable  for  me  and  found  the  horse  out.  Sus 
pecting  that  I  had  escaped  among  the  privates  he  came  to 
the  boat  and  called  me.  No  answer  being  made  he  com 
menced  a  tour  through  the  prisoners.  Being  small  and  kept 
apprized  of  his  movements,  I  eluded  his  vigilance,  until  his 
patience  was  exhausted.  Asserting  that  he  knew  I  was  on 
the  boat,  he  ordered  all  our  men  off.  I  went  with  them 
and  fell  in  in  the  rear  rank  on  shore,  trusting  he  would  be 
unable  to  identify  me.  On  the  first  round  he  passed  me  by, 
and  my  spirits  rose;  but  on  his  second  tour,  he  slapped  me  on 
the  shoulder  and  said,  ik  You  are  my  man,"  and  my  heart  went 
down  into  my  boots.  He  ordered  a  file  of  soldiers  to  take 
me  before  General  Morris,  the  commandant  of  the  fort,  which 
they  did,  and  reported  my  attempt  to  escape.  The  old  Gen 
eral,  turning  to  me,  said :  "  I  am  informed  you  have  been 
trying  to  escape."  '  Yes,  General,"  I  said,  "  but  you  are  too 
much  of  a  soldier  to  blame  me  for  that."  "  Oh,  no;  I  do  not 
blame  you,"  he  said,  "  but  we  will  have  to  take  better  care 
of  you.  Guard,  put  him  into  the  left  of  the  sally-port."  I 
was  not  much  versed  in  military  lore,  and  did  not  realize  my 
destination  until  it  was  reached  and  1  found  myself  in  a  dun 
geon  under  the  parapet.  I  soon  discovered  I  was  not  alone. 
It  was  too  dark  to  see  faces,  so  I  inquired  who  were  my  fellow- 
prisoners.  My  first  acquaintance  was  James  Tilghman,  from 
the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  a  very  clever  gentleman,  I 
soon  ascertained.  As  I  was  giving  him  a  narrative  of  myself, 
Ben  Whittington  raised  up  from  a  corner,  exclaiming,  "  Lieu 
tenant,  is  that  you?  "  I  recognized  Ben's  voice  and  gave  him 
a  cordial  greeting.  I  ascertained  from  him  that  he  was 
charged  with  being  a  spy,  horse-thief,  and  guerrilla.  Tilgh 
man  was  charged  with  burning  some  Federal  boats. 

We  slept  on  the  Moor,  with  only  one  blanket  to  cover  us, 
and  did  not  dream  of  marble  halls,  although  our  bed  was 
about  as  hard  as  that  material.  Of  these  three  inmates,  I  am 
the  only  survivor.  Tilghman  after  a  long  imprisonment,  was 
sent  South,  became  a  gallant  soldier  in  the  Maryland  line, 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  pj 

and  died  in  Queen  Anne's  county,. Maryland,  some  ten  years 
ago.  Ben  Whittington  died  in  this  county  about  five  years 
ago. 

The  morning  after  I  was  put  in  the  dungeon,  when  the 
officer  of  the  guard  came  around  and  inspected  our  cell,  I 
called  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  Ben  was  a  member  of  our 
company,  and  a  regular  Confederate  soldier.  He  promised 
to  look  into  the  matter,  and  in  a  few  days  Ben  was  taken  out 
of  the  cell,  and,  as  I  learned,  exchanged  on  the  next  exchange 
day. 

During  the  day  the  guard  would  open  the  door  and  allow 
us  a  little  light  and  air,  and  though  the  place  was  very  dreary, 
it  was  more  comfortable  than  the  old  stable. 

After  being  there  several  days  I  \vas  taken  before  General 
Morris,  who  said  he  had  learned  that  my  father  was  a  prisoner 
at  Fort  Delaware,  and  asked  if  I  would  like  to  join  him.  I 
told  him  if  I  had  to  remain  a  prisoner  I  would,  of  course,  pre 
fer  to  be  with  him.  He  then  promised  to  send  me  up  on  the 
first  boat. 

\Yhile  in  this  cell  I  was  permitted  to  see  friends  calling  for 
me,  and  I  shall  ever  remember  with  kindness  the  good  people 
of  Baltimore.  On  one  occasion  I  received  a  visit  from  Misses 
Lee  and  Crichton,  accompanied  by  the  brother  of  the  latter, 
Malcolm  Crichton,  who  brought  me  some  dainties  and  sub 
stantiate.  Mr.  Crichton,  observing  that  I  was  without  an 
overcoat,  took  off  his  own  and  generously  insisted  I  should 
take  it,  which,  though  reluctantly  accepted,  was  sorely  needed. 
He  may  have  forgotten  his  act  of  kindness  and  the  recipient 
of  it,  but  it  has  been  warmly  treasured  by  me,  and  I  trust  he 
may  one  day  hear  those  comforting  words,  "  I  was  naked 
and  ye  clothed  me,  in  prison  and  ye  visited  me." 

While  at  Fort  McHenry  I  made  the  acquaintance  of  Lieu 
tenant  Morris,  nephew  of  the  General,  and  a  member  of  the 
Eighth  New  York  Artillery,  which  was  stationed  for  some 
time  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  many 
little  courtesies. 


96  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

On  the  23d  of  February  1  was  taken  out  of  this  cell,  and, 
with  some  officers  from  the  stable,  put  on  board  of  a  boat 
and  taken  to  Fort  Delaware,  landing  there*in  the  night,  and 
great  was  my  father's  surprise  to  meet  me.  Though  he  had 
learned  of  my  imprisonment,  he  little  dreamed  that  Fort 
Delaware  would  be  my  Bastile.  He  received  me  very  joy 
ously,  but  did  not  kill  the  fatted  calf,  as  his  herd  was  exceed 
ingly  small  and  thin  at  this  time. 

My  father  kept  a  diary  during  his  twenty  months  of  impris 
onment,  and  a  chapter  from  it  will  not  be  uninteresting : 

'  Tuesday,  February  24th. — Was  disturbed  last  night  by 
the  arrival  of  18  prisoners  from  Fort  McHenry — Captain 
Emmett  Morrison,  Company  C,  Fifteenth  Virginia  infantry; 
Captain  J.  P.  Cooper,  Company  E,  Fifth  Tennessee;  Captain 
W.  T.  Marberry,  Company  C,  Thirty-third  Tennessee;  Lieu 
tenant  J.  B.  Milam,  Company  A,  Fifth  Tennessee;  George 
W.  Purvis,  Swell's  escort;  George  F.  Everhart,  Company  A, 
White's  Battalion;  J.  H.  Eldridge,  Company  A,  Thirty-sec 
ond  Virginia;  George  Baylor,  Company  B,  Twelfth  Virginia 
cavalry,  and  ten  political  prisoners.  My  son  came  into  my 
room.  All  the  officers  and  Purvis  came  into  our  mess.  The 
remainder  joined  mess  No.  2.  All  settled  down  and  soon 
became  very  sociable. 

"  February  25th. — I  have  added  to  my  bed  and  taken 
George  with  me.  No  news  to-day.  Every  one  very  sociable. 

"  February  26th. — Colonel  Perkins,  Adjutant  Commel,  and 
Quartermaster  Clarke  visited  our  rooms.  Colonel  Perkins 
\vas  very  polite  and  accommodating.  He  requested  me  to 
act  as  inspector  of  the  rooms  and  see  that  they  were  properly 
cleaned.  We  are  getting  along  quite  comfortably  and  cheer 
fully. 

"  February  27th. — All  hands  cleaning  out  and  scouring 
rooms. 

"  February  28th. — Ready  for  inspection.  Colonel  Perkins, 
Captain  Stephenson,  Captain  Young,  Adjutant  Commel,  and 
Quartermaster  Clarke  came  up  and  inspected  our  quarters 


.     Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  97 

and  pronounced  them  clean  and  in  good  order.  John  O. 
Murray  received  two  boxes  from  Baltimore,  containing  three 
hams,  bread,  apples,  etc.  The  old  clerk,  James  R.  Gemmil, 
returned  to  his  post,  having  been  absent  for  ten  days  on  a 
visit  to  Pittsburg,  his  home. 

"  Sunday,  March  1st. — Colonel  Perkins  absent  and  Major 
Burton  commanding  post. 

"  March  2d. — Received  a  letter  from  my  wife  and  wrote  to 
Margaret  Aisquith  and  Miss  Maria  Cheeseborough. 

"  March  3d. — Wrote  to  Colonel  Perkins  to  permit  us  to 
walk  out  to-day.  Wrote  to  my  son  Richard  at  Petersburg,  per 
flag  of  truce.  Colonel  Perkins  kindly  granted  permission, 
and  we  walked  out  on  the  beach  for  an  hour  under  an  escort 
of  two  soldiers.  We  had  permission  to  remain  three  hours,, 
but  it  being  raw,  we  only  remained  one.  Received  a  letter 
from  Miss  Cheeseborough  to-day,  also  one  from  Dr.  Worrel, 
with  a  box  of  thread,  tape,  buttons,  etc.,  sent  to  me  by  a 
Maryland  lady.  Miss  Annie  Comegys,  Kent  county.  Wrote 
to  Miss  Cheeseborough,  Dr.  Worrel,  and  William  Seevers. 
Drew  draft  on  William  R.  Seevers,  in  favor  of  Miss  E.  B. 
Cheeseborough,  for  $50.  Sent  Dr.  Worrell  $2  to  pay  for 
Enquirer. 

ik  March  4th. — New  order  this  morning,  requiring  us  to 
give  up  all  our  money.  I  handed  over  to  clerk  $16  and 
George  $10. 

"  March  5th. — George  wrote  to  Maggie  and  I  enclosed  a 
note  to  my  wife.  All  in  good  spirits  expecting  to  hear  of 
general  defeat  of  Yankee  army  before  Vicksburg. 

"  March  6th. — Wrote  to  Miss  Annie  Comegys,  Kent 
county,  Md.,  thanking  her  for  a  box.  Received  letter  from 
Mrs.  Egerton,  Baltimore,  notifying  me  of  a  box  of  eatables 
sent  prisoners.  An  accident  occurred  yesterday  by  the  dis 
charge  of  a  gun  in  the  hands  of  a  sentinel,  resulting  in  the 
death  of  one  Dutch  abolitionist  and  the  wounding  of  another. 

"  March  7th. — New  order  to-day;  instead  of  butcher  selling 
us  such  things  as  we  need,  as  has  been  the  custom,  it  must 
7 


p8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.     . 

now  be  handled  by  Lieutenant  Harris,  the  Provost  Marshal. 
Presume  they  think  us  overfed,  and  would^have  him  inspect 
our  provisions  to  reduce  them.  Nothing  increases  by  hand 
ling,  and  I  am  sure  our  provisions  will  not.  Received  a  box 
from  Mrs.  Egerton  to-day,  the  Provost  Marshal  having  de 
tained  it  since  yesterday.  The  clothing  in  the  box  was  all 
retained  by  order  of  Colonel  Perkins.  The  eatables  were 
more  or  less  mutilated.  A  nice  cold  turkey  came  to  us  shorn 
of  its  breast,  it  having  been  amputated  by  the  cormorant 
Provost.  Some  of  our  pies  and  delicacies  also  went  into  his 
pouch.  Had  a  good  supper  on  the  things  sent  us  by  the 
ladies.  Colonel  Perkins  sent  us  all  the  clothes  over. 

"  March  8th. — Had  an  interview  with  Colonel  Perkins  rela 
tive  to  clothing.  Found  him  disposed  to  accommodate  and 
grant  reasonable  requests. 

'*  March  Qth. — Wrote  to  Mrs.  Egerton  and  Dr.  E.  S. 
Sharpe.  Washed  out  our  room  and  cleaned  up  generally. 
Walked  out  on  the  island  this  evening  for  an  hour.  Captains 
Shearer,  Rison,  League,  Pilot,  and  Pritchet  ordered  to  Wash 
ington.  What  is  to  be  their  fate,  we  cannot  conjecture. 

"  March  loth. — Shearer  and  party  left  this  morning,  and 
George  fell  heir  to  Shearer's  bed.  The  number  in  our  room 

o 

now  reduced  to  three — Murray,  George,  and  myself.  Re 
ceived  letters  from  my  wife,  Misses  Essie  and  Maria  Cheese- 
borough.  Had  addition  to  our  number  in  the  arrival  of  two 
Jews  from  Philadelphia,  Jackson  and  Solomon,  arrested  as 
contrabandists.  We  played  a  joke  on  them,  by  personating 
Colonel  Perkins,  making  them  disclose  the  whole  affair,  and 
ordering  them  to  cells  and  to  take  the  oath." 

On  this  occasion  referred  to  in  my  father's  diary,  my  father 
was  dressed  as  Colonel  Perkins,  Murray  was  his  adjutant,  and 
some  six  or  seven  of  us  composed  the  Colonel's  escort.  The 
Jews'  room  was  entered,  and  their  blockade  business  extorted 
from  them  under  threat  of  immediate  death.  The  oath  of 
allegiance  was  then  offered  them.  Solomon  at  once  offered 


Robert  Cookus. 


ioo  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

to  take  it,  but  Jackson  refused,  saying  he  was  a  Southern 
man.  Solomon  was  so  unstable,  we  namec^him  Reuben,  but 
Jackson  we  called  Judah,  by  reason  of  his  firmness.  Solomon, 
.having  agreed  to  take  the  oath,  was  taken  out  of  the  room 
and  marched  down  the  hallway  to  a  little  closet  about  five 
feet  square,  in  which  he  was  put  and  the  door  closed,  Murray 
saying,  in  a  stentorian  voice,  "  Sentinel,  if  he  moves  in  there, 
shoot  him."  We  then  returned  to  our  rooms,  and  poor  Solo 
mon  remained  in  the  closet  all  night,  but  Jackson  was  treated 
with  much  kindness.  In  the  morning  we  told  Gemmil  what 
we  had  done,  and  he,  and  Jackson,  too,  enjoyed  the  joke  on 
Solomon,  but  Gemmil  went  to  the  closet  and  released  him 
from  close  confinement. 

My  father,  as  I  have  before  related,  was  taken  prisoner  in 
December,  1862,  before  recovering  from  his  wound,  and  had 
been  retained  in  prison  under  charges  which  had  no  founda 
tion  in  fact,  and  were  vague  and  indefinite  in  character.  In 
vain,  from  time  to  time  he  had  urged  upon  his  adversaries  a 
speedy  trial,  but  without  favorable  result,  although,  in  justice 
to  some  of  the  Federal  officers,  I  will  say  that  they  fully  recog 
nized  the  injustice  which  was  being  done  him  and  asked  a 
hearing  for  him. 

In  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  Official  Records,  note  the 
following  correspondence  regarding  him : 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  January  27,  1863. 

Colonel  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN,  U.  S.  Army, 

Commissary-General  of  Prisoners,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

Sir, — Please  inform  this  office,  if  within  your  knowledge, 
whether  charges  have  been  preferred  against  Captain  Robert 
W.  Baylor,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  for  violation  of  a  flag 
of  truce  near  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  about  the  6th  of  February, 
1862,  and  if  this  officer  is  in  confinement  at  Fort  Delaware. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  T.  TOWNSEND, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  101 

•  General  Townsend  seems  to  have  been  moved  by  some  of 
the  compunctions  of  the  Roman  Governor  more  than 
eighteen  centuries  ago,  when  he  said  to  King  Agrippa,  "  For 
it  seemeth  to  me  unreasonable  to  send  a  prisoner  and  not 
withal  signify  the  crimes  laid  against  him,"  much  more  un 
reasonable  to  retain  him  a  prisoner,  without  granting  him  a 
hearing  or  specifying  the  nature  of  the  offence.  The  case 
after  this  seems  to  have  fallen  into  hurtful  repose  for  several 
months,  and  then  again  resurrected. 

OFFICE  OF  COMMISSARY-GENERAL  OF  PRISONERS, 

\Yashington,  April  i,  1863. 
Colonel  D.  D.  PERKINS, 

Commanding  Fort  Delaware : 

Colonel :  You  will  receive  orders  from  the  headquarters. 
Middle  Department,  to  forward  rebel  officers,  prisoners  of 
war  in  your  charge,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lucllow,  agent  for 
exchange  of  prisoners  at  Fort  Monroe,  for  exchange.  If  it 
should  not  be  so  stated  in  the  order,  you  will  not  include  with 
them  Captain  Robert  W.  Baylor,  who  is  charged  with  serious 
crimes,  nor  any  other  officer  who  may  be  held  on  any  other 
charge  than  that  of  being  in  the  rebel  army. 

Very  respectfully,  .your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 
Colonel  Third  Infantry. 
Commissary-General  of  Prisoners. 

And  on  the  /th  of  April,  AYilliam  H.  Ludlow,  agent  for 
exchange  of  prisoners,  writes  Colonel  Hoffman : 

"  Colonel :  \Yill  you  order  an  investigation  into  the  case 
of  Captain  Baylor,  detained  at  Fort  Delaware  under  charges 
of  murder  and  violation  of  a  flag  of  truce,  that  in  case  of 
acquittal  he  may  be  sent  with  other  Confederate  officers  for 
exchange?" 

And  again,  on  April  nth,  he  writes  Colonel  Hoffman: 

"  Colonel :  All  the  citizen  prisoners  delivered  to  us  have 
been  declared  exchanged,  their  equivalents  having  been  de 
livered  to  the  Confederates.  All  the  officers  delivered  to  us 


102  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

whose  names  I  have  from  time  to  time  sent  you  have  been 
declared  exchanged,  their  equivalents  also  having  been  de 
livered.  /  hope  that  the  case  of  Captain  Baylofmay  be  speedily 
investigated,  that  in  case  of  acquittal  he  may  be  subject  to 
exchange  with  other  officers." 

Colonel  Hoffman,  on  April  I2th.  writes  the  Provost  Mar 
shal  of  Baltimore : 

"Sir:  On  the  22d  of  December  last,  Captain  Robert  W. 
Baylor,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  was  sent  by  an  order  from 
your  office  to  Fort  McHenry  with  a  statement  that  he  was 
charged  with  murder  in  having  killed  one  of  the  men  when 
bearing  a  flag  of  truce.  If  there  are  any  written  charges 
against  him  in  your  office,  or  any  evidence  by  which  the 
charge  can  be  established,  I  have  to  request  you  will  for 
ward  it  to  this  office,  to  the  end  that  the  case  may  be  investi 
gated." 

Nothing'  having  been  done  towards  the  formulation  or 
investigation  of  any  charges,  my  father  sent  a  petition  to 
Colonel  Hoffman,  asking  an  immediate  examination  into  his 
case,  or  for  an  exchange,  and  while  the  petition  itself  is  lost, 
Colonel  Hoffman,  in  a  letter  to  Judge-Advocate-General 
Holt  (of  Mrs.  Surratt  fame),  refers  to  it :  "I  have  the  honor 
to  refer  to  you,  for  your  consideration,  the  petition  of  Cap 
tain  Robert  W.  Baylor,  an  officer  of  the  rebel  army,  now  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  Fort  Delaware,  for  an  investigation  of  the 
charges  against  him,  or  for  his  exchange.  The  accompany 
ing  papers  are  all  that  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  to  support 
the  charge  against  him.  Previous  to  my  indorsement  of  the 
1 8th  instant,  I  addressed  a  letter  to  the  military  Provost 
Marshal  of  Baltimore,  requesting  him  to  furnish  me  any 
charges  or  evidence  against  Captain  Baylor  which  might  be 
in  his  office,  but  to  this  letter  I  received  no  reply.  On  the 
1 8th  instant  I  addressed  a  letter  to  Major-General  Schenck, 
commanding  Eighth  Army  Corps,  requesting  that  he  would 
direct  that  any  testimony  in  the  possession  of  the  Provost 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  103 

Marshal  of  Baltimore,  or  any  other  officer,  bearing  upon  the 
case  of  Captain  Baylor,  should  be  forwarded  to  this  office; 
but  to  this  letter  also  I  have  received  no  reply,  and  I  am 
therefore  compelled  to  submit  the  case  in  this  imperfect  con 
dition." 

Colonel  Ludlow,  on  April  3Oth,  again  writes  Colonel  Hoff 
man: 

"  If  the  case  of  Captain  Baylor,  confined  at  Fort  Delaware, 
has  not  been  examined,  I  would  recommend  that  it  be  as 
soon  as  practicable.  The  effect  of  keeping  the  release  of  a 
Confederate  officer  suspended  on  charges  is  always  to  retain 
one  of  our  own  officers  in  confinement,  for  while  official 
notice  of  retaliation  is  not  given,  I  am  satisfied  that  such 
retaliation  is  really  practiced." 

Colonel  Ludlow  was  correct  in  his  supposition.  An  officer 
of  equal  rank  was  retained  by  the  Confederate  Government 
in  confinement  at  Libby  Prison  to  await  the  action  of  the 
Federal  authorities  in  my  father's  case,  but  I  have  always 
thought  that  the  real  power  behind  the  throne  with  Colonel 
Ludlow,  who  was  agent  for  exchange  of  prisoners  at  Fort 
Monroe,  was  my  father's  nephew,  Colonel  Thomas  G.  Baylor, 
of  the  United  States  army,  who  was  stationed  at  that  time  at 
that  place,  and  whom  I  know  was  exerting  all  his  influence 
to  effect  his  release  and  exchange. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Lake  Leman  lies  by  Chillon's  walls, 
A  thousand  feet  in  depth  below 
Its  massy  waters  meet  and  flow. 

Byron. 

Fort  Delaware  is  situated  on  an  island  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Delaware  river.  'During  the  war  a  ferry-boat  plied  be 
tween  the  island  and  the  mainland  at  Delaware  city.  While 
I  was  a  prisoner  there,  the  Confederate  officers  were  confined 
in  the  interior  of  the  fort.  The  rooms  occupied  by  the  prison 
ers  opened  on  a  long  hall,  which  led  to  a  broad  stairway  lead 
ing  to  the  ground  floor.  At  the  head  of  this  stairway  senti 
nels  were  placed  to  confine  us  to  the  apartments  above. 
There  was  also  a  stairway  leading  above  to  the  parapet.  From 
this  parapet  to  the  water  below  was  probably  forty  feet.  The 
windows  of  our  apartments  opened  on  the  water  and  were 
secured  with  iron  bars.  The  rooms  were  comfortable,  though 
'scant  of  furniture.  The  prisoners  had  free  access  to  each 
other,  and  visiting  was  allowed  at  all  times.  The  number  con 
fined  in  the  interior  of  the  fort  during  my  stay  did  not  exceed 
twenty  or  fall  below  twelve.  There  was  on  duty  at  the  fort 
a  German  regiment,  and  those  with  whom  we  were  thrown 
in  contact  seemed  clever  enough.  Some  of  the  Federal  offi 
cers  paid  us  frequent  visits,  and  were,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
kind  and  considerate.  Colonel  Perkins  was  commandant, 
and  his  clerk,  Gemmil,  was  in  our  quarters  daily  and  entered 
into  many  of  our  sports.  Through  him  our  mail  was  sent  and 
received,  it  being  inspected  by  him  in  going  out  and  coming 
in,  to  prevent  contraband  matters.  No  rations  were  furnish 
ed  us,  but,  in  lieu  thereof,  a  commutation  of  sixteen  cents  a 
day,  with  liberty  to  buy.  We  divided  into  messes,  and  our 

[104] 


•••a** 


George  Creaton. 


106  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

mess  had  as  cook  one  of  our  men,  held  on  some  trumped-up 
charge,  and  who  was  glad  to  get  on  the  interior  of  the  fort, 
as  those  without  were  treated  very  harshly.  Our  townsman, 
J.  Ogden  [Murray,  -was  our  commissary-general,  and  with  a 
little  aid  to  our  commutation  money  from  our  individual 
means  and  the  charity  of  lady  friends,  we  lived,  compared 
with  those  at  other  prisons,  comfortably. 

\Ye  varied  the  monotony  of  prison  with  cards,  drafts, 
chess  and  backgammon,  which  aided  materially  in  relieving 
the  tedium.  The  few  books  in  our  store  were  eagerly  de 
voured,  and  the  Bible  was  not  forgotten.  At  times  we  played 
pranks  of  various  sorts  on  each  other.  One  of  our  prisoners, 
Lieutenant  Tormey,  of  the  First  Maryland,  was  quite  a  con 
ceited  youth,  and  spent  much  of  his  time  in  regaling  us  with 
episodes  concerning  his  many  sweethearts  in  Baltimore.  Mur 
ray  and  myself,  by  treasuring  up  Tormey's  revelations,  soon 
knew  Tormey's  sweetheart  about  as  well  as  Tormey  himself, 
and  conceived  the  idea  of  personating  her  and  inditing  to 
Tormey  a  fervent  epistle.  With  the  aid  of  Gemmil,  who 
readily  entered  into  the  scheme,  we  wrote  the  letter,  got  Gem- 
mil  to  copy,  stamp,  and  deliver  it  to  Tormey.  How  Tormey's 
spirits  revived  on  the  reception  of  it !  He  was  so  full  of  it  he 
could  not  keep  the  secret,  so  he  made  us  his  confidants.  He 
was  kept  busy  several  days  composing  an  answer,  which  he 
finally  delivered  to  Gemmil  for  inspection  and  mail.  Gemmil 
gave  us  a  copy  and  mailed  the  original,  but  whether  the 
young  lady  received  it  or  not  we  never  knew.  She  certainly 
did  not  answer  it,  but  we  did,  keeping  up  a  brisk  correspond 
ence  for  some  weeks,  and  doing  Tormey  as  much  good  as  if 
the  letters  had  been  genuine.  He  did  not  discover  the  cheat 
until  a  few  days  before  our  departure,  and,  good-natured  soul 
that  he  was,  took  it  all  very  kindly.  Not  so  with  Lieutenant 
Purvis,  upon  whom  we  played  a  similar  joke,  who,  when  he 
found  us  out,  refused  to  speak  to  Murray,  my  father,  or 
myself,  until  the  day  of  our  departure,  when  he  relented  and 
forgave  us. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  IOJ 

In  the  last  chapter  I  quoted  my  father's  diary  to  March 
loth.  I  will  now  resume  and  continue  to  the  date  of  our 
separation  : 

March  nth. — Ground  covered  with  snow.    No  news. 

March  I2th. — Colonel  Perkins  sent  for  me  to-day  relative 
to  the  removal  of  all  privates  from  our  quarters  into  the 
outer  barracks.  I  tried  the  Mason  on  him  to-day,  and  he 
responded  promptly. 

March  I3th. — Two  of  our  officers  left  us  for  Fort  McHenry 
to  be  exchanged — Captain  Cooper  and  Lieutenant  Milam. 
They  took  leave  of  us  at  7  P.  M.  The  remaining  officers 
much  dejected  at  being  left  behind. 

March  i4th. — Arose  about  7  A.  M.  Made  up  my  fire  and 
bed,  took  a  good  bath  and  dressed.  Our  house  looks  some 
what  deserted  this  morning.  Wrote  to  Misses  Heiskell  and 
Clements,  two  ladies  of  Philadelphia,  who  had  sent  me  their 
photographs.  Got  a  bottle  of  cod-liver  oil  and  whiskey  from 
surgeon. 

March  I5th. — My  thirteenth  Sunday  in  prison.  Snowing 
fast. 

March  i6th. — Received  box  from  my  friend,  Miss  Cheese- 
borough,  containing  suit  of  clothes  for  George,  pair  of  shoes, 
travelling  shirt,  two  pairs  of  socks,  two  towels,  chest  protec 
tor,  necktie,  and  ball  of  soap,  and  for  me  40  paper  collars, 
two  silk  handkerchiefs,  pair  of  suspenders,  two  crash  towels, 
five  pairs  shoestrings,  teapot,  tea,  sugar,  crackers,  butter  and 
jelly.  Provost-Marshal  Harris  retained  George's  travelling 
shirt,  necktie,  and  chest  protector.  He  also  retained  all  the 
articles  sent  Murray,  Ryle,  Blanton,  Marberry,  Cooper, 
Milam,  and  Purvis.  Captain  Marberry  received  a  very  nice 
box  of  eatables  from  Miss  Warner,  of  Tennessee.  Received 
letter  from  my  wife  to-day. 

March  i/th. — Colonel  Perkins  permitted  George  to  have 
the  travelling  shirt  made  for  him  by  Miss  Maria  Cheese- 
borough.  Wrote  home. 


io8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

March  i8th. — The  boys  sold  Lieutenant  Purvis  badly.  He 
wrote  to  Mrs.  Beall  some  days  ago  and  expressed  much  affec 
tion  for  her.  They  answered  the  letter  for  her  and  feigned 
that  it  was  a  proposal  of  marriage,  and  that  she  accepted  his 
offer.  He  answered  the  letter,  explaining  to  her  that  she 
had  misconstrued  his  language  and  intentions;  that  they  were 
not  those  of  love,  but  of  esteem.  After  his  letter  had  been 
forwarded  to  Mrs.  Beall,  he  discovered  it  was  a  joke  of  the 
boys.  Permission  was  granted  Morrison,  Murray,  George,  and 
myself  to  visit  Mrs.  Weaver  and  Mrs.  Hays,  from  Baltimore, 
at  the  Colonel's  office.  .  I  did  not  avail  myself  of  the  privilege. 
The  others  did.  The  ladies  brought  them  a  box  of  provisions. 

March  iQth. — George  wrote  to  Miss  Maria  Cheeseborough 
yesterday.  They  numbered  our  rooms.  My  number  is  6. 
We  walked  out  this  evening  on  the  island. 

March  20. — Arose  and  made  the  fire,  as  usual,  and  made 
up  my  bed.  George  and  Murray  in  bed  asleep.  Purvis  re 
ceived  a  box  of  things,  eatables,  etc.,  from  Mrs.  James,  of 
Baltimore.  Received  letter  from  my  wife  to-day.  News  from 
my  county  gloomy. 

March  21. — As  usual,  had  to  make  up  my  fire.  George  and 
Murray  in  bed. 

March  22. — We  walked  out  on  the  parapet  in  the  after 
noon.  A  beautiful  day. 

March  23. — Arose  and  made  my  fire.  George  and  Murray 
in  bed.  Received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Eliza  Cheeseborongh, 
of  Philadelphia.  It  breathes  the  language  of  true  and  disin 
terested  friendship.  I  cannot  express  the  dee])  gratitude  I 
owe  to  this  strange  lady  and  her  two  daughters  for  their 
great  kindness  to  me  since  I  have  been  in  prison  in  this  fort. 

March  24. — All  hands  washing  out  room.  No  news  to-day. 
Walked  out  on  island. 

March  25. — Suffering  with  rheumatism.  Held  court  to 
day  and  convicted  Murray  and  Kyle  of  improper  conduct. 
Received  a  letter  from  my  nephew.  Captain  Thomas  G.  Bay- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  109 

lor,   from   Fortress   Monroe,   stating  that  all  prisoners  cap 
tured  before  January  12,  1863,  would  be  exchanged. 

March  26th. — All  lively  this  morning,  buoyed  up  with  the 
hope  of  a  speedy  exchange.  This  day  has  been  set  apart  by 
President  Davis  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving  in  the  Confederate 
States.  I  observed  it  here  in  my  prison. 

March  27th. — Time  passes  more  heavily  as  the  days  in 
crease  in  length  and  the  spring  advances.  Wrote  to  Miss 
Cheeseborough. 

March  28th. — Suffering  with  rheumatism  and  down  in 
spirits.  Xo  news. 

March  29th. — Still  suffering  with  rheumatism.  My  fifteenth 
Sunday  in  prison. 

March  3Oth. — -All  hands  scrubbing  out  to-day,  expecting 
a  new  commandant  to  take  charge  to-morrow.  All  in  high 
spirits.  The  papers  state  an  exchange  of  officers  has  been 
agreed  upon.  George  received  a  letter  from  Miss  Maria 
Cheeseborough,  one  from  Mrs.  Egerton,  and  one  from 
Jennie  Rutherford. 

March  3ist. — \Ye  were  aroused  by  the  arrival  of  23  addi 
tional  prisoners — Dr.  Jesse  Stocker,  Mr.  P.  H.  Rouss,  Dr. 
Robert  A.  Lucas,  Captain  James  W.  Glenn,  and  Robert 
Lucas,  Jr.,  from  Jefferson  county.  The  others  are  from  Lou- 
doun  and  Botetourt  counties  and  city  of  Baltimore.  \Ye  took 
Dr.  Stocker  and  Mr.  Rouss  into  our  room.  Nine  of  the  gen 
tlemen  joined  our  mess.  About  12  o'clock  an  order  was 
received  to  remove  all  the  prisoners  who  arrived  last  night 
to  other  apartments.  \\Q  parted  with  our  friends  with  much 
reluctance,  knowing  they  will  be  far  less  comfortable  than 
they  would  be  with  us.  To-day  is  inspection  day.  Our 
quarters  .were  visited  by  the  Colonel  and  his  staff. 

The  Colonel,  as  usual,  was  very  polite,  and  told  us  that  he 
thought  we  would  all  be  exchanged  in  a  few  days,  and  that 
he  would  leave  us  for  more  active  service  in  a  day  or  so. 
Captain  Stanislaus  McClowskis  made  me  a  present  of  a  nice 
silk  tobacco  purse  and  tobacco;  the  purse  was  knit  by  his 


i JO  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

wife.  Captain  McClowskis  is  a  Prussian.  Sent  over  five 
blankets  to  our  countymen  in  prison.  Captain  McClowskis 
thought  some  of  our  countymen  had  tarn  bad  physiosiqucs. 

April  ist. — The  prisoners  sent  to  the  fort  yesterday  are 
charged  with  being  secret  enemies,  spies,  horse-thieves,  and 
traitors,  and  kept  in  close  confinement.  Paid  my  mess  bill 
for  month  of  March,  cash  $4.33,  and  commutation  $4.96, 
making  $9.29  each  for  the  month.  We  are  all  expecting  to 
leave. 

April  2cl. — The  Adjutant  came  up  this  morning  and  took 
down  the  names  of  all  the  officers  and  privates  here  for  ex 
change,  and  notified  me  that  I  would  not  be  exchanged.  Very 
great  disappointment  to  me.  The  order  for  my  detention  read 
as  follows:  "Captain  George  Baylor  (meaning  Robert),  a 
prisoner  at  Fort  Delaware,  is  charged  with  violating  a  flag 
of  truce  and  murder,  and  will  be  retained  in  confinement." 
George  W.  Purvis  was  also  detained.  They  all  went  off  this 
evening  in  good  spirits.  Purvis  moved  into  my  room.  We 
are  left  sole  heirs  of  all  the  plunder.  Colonel  Perkins  came 
up  to  see  me  this  evening  and  promised  to  do  what  he  could 
for  me  in  Washington. 

George  received  a  letter  from  Julia  to-day.  I  will  answer 
it  to-morrow.  The  parties  who  went  off  to-day  were  Captains 
Price,  Marberry  and  Morrison,  Lieutenants  Kyle,  Blanton, 
Murray,  Tormey  and  Baylor,  and  all  the  privates.  Purvis 
and  myself  passed  the  night  very  quietly.  Received  from 
Mrs.  Egerton  one  box  of  cheese,  six  hams,  four  beef  tongues, 
one  dozen  jars  of  pickles,  and  three  bottles  of  essence  of 
ginger.  Wrote  to  Captain  Thomas  G.  Baylor  by  George. 

April  3d. — A  very  fine  day  for  the  boys  to  go  down  the 
bay.  I  made  an  earnest  appeal  this  morning  to  Colonel 
Buchanan  (our  new  commandant)  to  have  removed  to  our 
quarters  Captain  Glenn,  Mr.  Rouss,  Drs.  Stocker  and  Lucas, 
and  R.  Lucas,  Jr.  He  said  he  would  give  my  application  a 
favorable  consideration.  Received  a  very  kind  letter  from 
Miss  Nannie  Comegys,  of  Chestertown,  Md. 


Robert.  T.  Craig-hill. 


H2  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Before  giving  an  account  of  my  journey,  after  leaving  Fort 
Delaware,  I  wish  to  explain  a  portion  of  my  father's  diary. 
It  is  very  patent  that  the  expression  for  several  mornings, 
"  George  and  Murray  are  in  bed  asleep,"  was  intended  as  a 
reflection  on  our  conduct.  Filial  duty  may  have  required  me 
under  other  circumstances  to  have  risen  early  and  made  the 
fire,  but  sleep  was  the  greatest  comfort  enjoyed  in  prison, 
and  I  often  remonstrated  with  my  father  for  his  early  rising 
and  begged  him  to  permit  me  to  sleep  away  as  much  of  prison 
life  as  possible.  Indeed,  making  the  fire  was  a  pleasure,  for 
I  craved  some  occupation  and  employment. 

The  petition  mentioned  in  my  father's  diary  was  not 
granted,  and  our  countymen  were  closely  confined  on  the 
exterior  of  the  fort,  in  miserable  barracks,  and  very  inhu 
manly  treated. 

After  we  left  Fort  Delaware  for  exchange  my  father  con 
tinued  to  press  his  case  upon  the  attention  of  the  Federal 
authorities,  and  on  May  i,  1863,  Colonel  Hoffman,  Commis 
sary-General  of  Prisoners,  writes  General  Schenck : 

"  General :  Permit  me  again  to  ask  your  attention  to  the 
case  of  Captain  Baylor,  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Fort  Delaware. 
He  is  charged  with  the  commission  of  a  very  obnoxious 
crime,  and  it  is  very  desirable,  if  possible,  to  obtain  evidence 
that  will  convict  him.  In  the  letter  of  Major  A.  G.  A.  Con 
stable,  Provost  Marshal  at  Baltimore,  of  December  22,  1862, 
addressed  to  General  Morris  when  Captain  Baylor  was  sent 
to  Fort  McHenry,  charges  have  been  made,  he  having  killed 
one  of  our  men  while  bearing  a  flag  of  truce,  and  it  is  sup 
posed  that  the  Major  may  be  able  to  point  to  some  source 
where  the  necessary  evidence  may  be  procured.  The  Judge- 
Advocate-General  cannot  decide  as  to  what  disposition  shall 
be  made  of  him  until  it  is  ascertained  whether  the  charges 
against  him  are  true  or  false,  and  as  the  negotiations  for  the 
exchange  of  our  officers  are  embarrassed  by  the  detention  of 
Captain  Baylor,  I  have  respectfully  to  request  you  will  direct 
such  reports  to  be  made  by  his  captors,  giving  the  names  of 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Rnn. 

the  witnesses,  as  will  establish  whether  he  is  guilty  or  not. 
I  beg  your  early  attention  to  this  matter." 

On  the  1 6th  of  May,  General  Schenck  answers  Colonel 
Hoffman's  letter  as  follows : 

"  The  prisoner,  Captain  Baylor,  killed  a  man  named  Roher 
under  a  flag  of  truce  at  Harper's  Ferry.  Colonel  Schley 
(William  Louis),  from  Point  of  Rocks,  telegraphs  that  he 
will  send  statement  in  full,  and  that  witnesses  can  be  obtained 
without  trouble.  Communicate  this  to  Judge-Advocate." 

This  was  the  first  definite  information  received  concerning 
the  charge,  and  it  came  from  a  certain  Colonel  William  Louis 
Schley,  who,  according  to  the  Federal  Secretary  of  War,  was 
guilty  of  a  more  heinous  crime  than  that  he  attempted  to 
fasten  upon  an  innocent  prisoner.  His  great  manifestation 
of  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his  country  appears  as  a  cloak  to  cover 
his  own  infamy  and  treachery,  for  on  the  6th  of  June,  1863, 
Secretary  Stanton  wires  General  Kelly  at  Harper's  Ferry  and 
Colonel  Fish  at  Baltimore : 

"  Captain  Alexander,  Provost  Marshal  of  Richmond,  and 
three,  perhaps  four,  other  rebel  spies,  some  in  the  military 
service,  are  or  were  yesterday  in  Washington,  and  design 
leaving  here  for  Richmond  or  Culpeper  to-day  or  to-night. 
They  will  probably  go  by  Point  of  Rocks,  Berlin,  or  Harper's 
Ferry,  probably  Berlin.  Alexander  has  a  large  amount  of 
Confederate  money  and  plans  of  the  forts  around  Washington 
and  other  valuable  papers.  He  will  be  disguised.  Some 
officer  at  Berlin  or  Harper's  Ferry  is  treacherous  and  acting 
with  them.  They  say  Colonel  Schley  is  the  man,  and  also 
that  Captains  Means  and  Marsh  will  pass  them.  Colonel 
Schley  and  Captains  Means  and  Marsh  should  be  watched, 
and  every  method  taken  that  your  skill  and  experience  can 
devise." 

Among  my  father's  papers  I  find  a  statement  of  Colonel 
Schlev  to  General  Schenck,  in  which  he  denounces  mv  father 


H4  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

in  the  bitterest  terms,  and  says  that  all  the  people  of  Harper's 
Ferry  would  be  glad  to  have  him  punished  and  would  testify 
against  him,  and  in  accordance  with  his  wishes,  on  May  22, 
1863,  my  father  was  sent  to  Harper's  Ferry  for  trial  by  Fed 
eral  court-martial,  and  this  court  having  heard  all  the 
evidence  in  the  case,  adjourned  to  meet  again  on  the  I5th  of 
June  to  report  its  findings,  and  it  so  happening  that  General 
Jackson  appeared  near  there  about  that  time,  the  court  dis 
appeared,  and  no  further  action  was  had  by  this  court,  and 
my  father,  growing  weary  of  continued  confinement,  wrote 
the  following  letter : 

FORT  McHENRY,  July  13,  1863. 
Colonel  HOFFMAN, 

Commissary-General  of  Prisoners, 
Washington  City : 

Sir, — At  the  interview  I  had  with  you  on  the  i6th  of 
April  last  at  Fort  Delaware,  you  assured  me  that  my  case 
should  receive  your  earliest  attention.  1  am  still  a  prisoner, 
having  been  held  in  confinement  seven  months. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  I  was  sent  to  Harper's  Ferry  for 
trial  by  a  court-martial.  The  court  did  not  meet  until  the 
3d  day  of  June,  and,  without  proceeding  to  business,  ad 
journed  to  the  8th  instant.  On  the  I2th  the  evidence  was 
closed,  and  the  court  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  i6th.  On  the 
1 5th,  I  was  sent  to  this  fort,  where  I  am  still  held  in  confine 
ment,  no  action  being  had  in  my  case.  The  evidence  clearly 
and  positively  proves  that  the  boat  had  no  Hag  of  truce,  and 
never  did  carry  a  flag  of  truce;  that  the  parties  in  the  boat  'were 
not  soldiers;  that  they  were  heavily  armed;  that  one  of  them 
attempted  to  fire;  that  "they  were  engaged  in  an  illegal  and  unlaw 
ful  business;  that  they  were  spies,  and  there  zvas  no  evidence  that 
I  had  anything  to  do  with  the  affair, 

It  is  therefore  extremely  unjust  that  I  should  longer  be 
detained  in  confinement.  Lieutenant-Colonel  D.  D.  Perkins, 
who  was  chief  of  Major-General  Banks's  staff,  afterwards 
commandant  of  Fort  Delaware,  was  conversant  with  the 
whole  affair,  and  called  at  the  department  in  Washington 
about  the  middle  of  April  last,  and  wrote  to  the  Adjutant  at 
Fort  Delaware  to  inform  me  that  he  had  explained  the  trans 
action  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Department,  and  that  I  would 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  115 

be  exchanged.     I  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the  case,  in 
order  to  have  a  speedy  decision. 

Having  been  severely  wounded  by  a  shot  through  my 
lungs,  previous  to  my  capture,  the  long  confinement  I  have 
had  to  suffer  has  made  me  an  invalid  for  life.  Let  me  ask 
your  earliest  attention  to  my  case. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  W.   BAYLOR, 
Captain  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A. 

The  foregoing  letter  bears  the  following  indorsements: 

OFFICE  COMMISSARY-GENERAL  OF  PRISONERS, 

Washington,  July  17,  1863. 

Respectfully  referred  to  Major-General  Schenck,  com 
manding  Middle  Department.  W.  HOFFMAN, 

Colonel  Third  Infantry, 
Commissary-General  of  Prisoners. 

HEADQUARTERS  EIGHTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

Baltimore,  Md.,  July  28,  1863. 

Respectfully  returned  to  Brigadier-General  W.  W.  Mor 
ris.  The  court-martial  for  the  trial  of  Captain  Baylor  was 
only  suspended  or  adjourned  in  consequence  of  the  arrival  of 
his  friends  in  the  neighborhood  of  Harper's  Ferry,  thus  inter 
rupting  the  proceedings.  That  court  will  have  to  be  reas 
sembled  to  resume  the  trial,  or  another  court  ordered  and 
convened  to  which  the  case  may  be  submitted. 
By  command  of  Major-General  Schenck. 

\Y.  H.  CHEESEBOROUGH, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

This  letter  of  July  i6th  effected  no  favorable  result,  and  my 
father  addressed  Colonel  Hoffman  the  following  letter: 

FORT  McHENRY,  October  7,  1863. 
Colonel  HOFFMAN, 

Commissary-General  of  Prisoners, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

Sir, — I  addressed  you,  through  the  commanding  officer 
of  this  fort,  on  the  I3th  of  July  last,  calling  your  attention 
to  my  case.  On  the  8th  of  August  I  addressed  a  communi 
cation,  through  the  same  officer,  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 


n6  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

asking  him  to  have  my  case  referred  to  the  Judge- Advocate- 
General  for  a  decision,  if  proper;  or  that  1  .might  be  sent  to 
Brigadier-General  Kelley,  commanding  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to 
be  paroled  to  go  to  my  home,  inside  of  the  Federal  lines,  on 
account  of  my  infirm  health  from  long  confinement,  until  a 
final  decision  could  be  had.  1  again  addressed  you  on  the 
26th  of  August,  referring  you  to  my  letter  of  August  the  8th 
to  the  Secretary  of  War,  asking  you  to  take  some  action  to 
wards  effecting  my  final  discharge  and  exchange.  Not  having 
heard  from  you,  I  am  constrained  to  address  you  again, 
hoping  that  some  action  may  be  had  in  my  case.  Justice 
asks  it;  humanity  demands  it;  God  enjoins  it;  "do  unto  all 
men  as  you  would  they  shomd  do  unto  you."  I  have  been 
in  confinement  ten  months.  The  evidence  in  my  case  has  all 
been  taken  and  recorded,  and  as  I  stated  to  you  in  my  letter 
of  July  1 3th,  to  which  I  refer  you,  there  is  not  a  particle  of 
evidence  to  criminate  me.  There  was  no  flag  of  truce;  the 
parties  were  not  soldiers,  but  spies,  and  it  was  positively  proven 
that  I  was  in  Charlestown,  eight  miles  from  the  place  where 
the  crime,  with  which  I  am  charged,  took  place.  I  was  cap 
tured  prior  to  any  interruption  of  exchanges,  and  all  officers 
captured  long  since  have  been  exchanged.  I  am  entitled  to 
my  exchange,  as  soon  as  the  charges  against  me  can  be  re 
moved.  I  certainly  have  been  detained  sufficiently  long  to 
have  had  a  full  and" fair  investigation,  and  should  not  be  made 
to  suffer  when  innocent.  Permit  me  to  urge  this  matter, 
hoping  that  you  may  give  it  your  earliest  attention. 

Very  respectfully, 

ROBERT  W.  BAYLOR, 

Captain  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A. 

This  letter  is  indorsed  as  follows : 

Approved  by  command   of  Colonel   Porter,   commanding 
fort.  H.  R.  (Cannot  decipher  name). 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

HEADQUARTERS  EIGHTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

Department  of  Baltimore, 
Fort  McHenry.  October  8,  1863. 

Respectfully   forwarded   through    Department    Headquar 
ters    Eighth  'Army    Corps    to    the    Commissary-General  of 

Prisoners.  P-  A-  PoRTER- 

Colonel,  Commanding  Fort. 


Jos.  H.  Easterday. 


n8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

The  following  reply  was  received : 

OFFICE  OF  COMMISSARY-GENERAL  OF  PRISONERS, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  October  13,  1863. 
Colonel  PORTER, 

Commanding  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore,  Md. : 

Colonel, — Please  say  to  Captain  Baylor  that  his  several 
letters  have  all  been  laid  before  the  proper  authorities,  and  he 
must  wait  their  action.  His  letter  of  the  7th  will  be  duly 
attended  to,  and  final  action  in  his  case  hastened  as  much  as 
possible. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

VV..  HOFFMAN, 
Colonel  Third  Infantry, 
Commissary-General  of  Prisoners. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

It  might  be  months,  or  years,  or  days, 
I  kept  no  count — I  took  no  note; 
At  last,  men  came  to  set  me  free, 
I  asked  not  why  and  reck'd  not  where. 

Byron. 

In  justice  to  officers  and  men  on  duty  there,  I  must  record 
the  fact  that,  excepting  in  a  few  instances,  our  treatment 
while  at  Fort  Delaware  was  such  as  reflects  credit  on  them, 
and  deserves  commendation. 

James  N.  Gemmil,  clerk  to  the  commandant,  with  whom 
we  had  daily  intercourse,  could  not  have  been  more  genial, 
pleasant,  and  considerate  of  our  feelings  and  welfare  had  he 
been  a  kinsman  and  brother.  If  -he  has  not  met  his  reward 
in  this  life,  I  feel  assured  his  good  deeds  will  speak  with 
trumpet  tongues  in  his  behalf  when  he  stands  before  the 
great  judgment  seat.  The  noble  women  whose  names  are 
mentioned  in  these  pages,  though  strangers  to  us,  were  un 
tiring  in  their  efforts  to  ameliorate  our  condition  and  soften 
the  asperities  of  prison  life,  and  what  human  effort  could  do, 
they  cheerfully  and  generously  did.  The  recording  angel  has 
written  their  names  above,  and  their  treasure  is  laid  up 
"  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  nor  thieves 
break  through  nor  steal."  Fair  hands  may  strew  our  graves 
with  flowers,  but  these  noble  women  have  softened  our  hard 
ships  and  filled  our  lives  with  their  generous  deeds — which  is 
far  better.  Sympathy  and  tenderness  shown  the  living  is 
above  all  the  scutcheons  on  the  tomb.  Crown  my  life  with 
blessings.  The  dead  need  no  friends,  "  for  in  death  there  is 
no  remembrance  of  thee;  in  the  grave  who  shall  give  thee 

thanks?  " 

I  want  your  love  just  while  I  live, 
While  I  can  still  that  love  return; 
It  will  not  joy  or  comfort  give 
When  lamp  of  life  has  ceased  to  burn. 
[119] 


120  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

When  the  soldier's  companion  falls, 

He  waits  to  see  the  pause  of  life, 
Then  onward  goes  where  duty  cal^, 

And  drowns  his  woe  in  battle  strife. 

Thus  when  'tis  fate  for  me  to  die, 
Breathe  but  one  sigh  for  memory  dear, 

And  gently  close  the  fading  eye, 
Affection  asks  not  e'en  a  tear. 

Pluck  not,  I  pray,  the  wild  flowers'  bloom, 
Nor  chaplet  wreathe  or  rustic  crown, — 

To  deck  a  cold  and  lifeless  tomb, 
Where  mortal  dust  alone  is  found. 

Can  sweetest  flowers  illume  the  grave, 

Or  cheer  or  bless  the  tenant  there; 
Knows  he  the  hand  that  loving  gave 

Those  flowers  so  beautiful  and  fair? 

I  can  as  calm  and  sweetly  sleep, 

In  death's  silent,  reposing  lair, 
Without  a  friend  to  sigh  or  weep. 

Or  place  in  love  a  rosebud  there. 

But  love  me,  friends,  while  I  can  still 
Clasp  hand  with  hand  in  kinship  given, 

Meet  heart  with  heart  in  joyous  thrill, 
And  feel  this  earth  is  nearing  heaven. 

While  I  longed  for  freedom,  it  grieved  me  much  to  leave 
my  father  in  prison,  an  invalid  suffering  from  his  wound,  and 
retained  under  charges  to  be  tried  by  a  military  commission, 
needing  only  accusation  to  insure  conviction.  I  earnestly 
urged  Colonel  Perkins  to  release  him,  but  was  informed  by 
that  officer  that  he  had  no  discretion  in  the  matter;  that 
orders  had  proceeded  from  a  higher  source.  He  promised, 
however,  to  intercede  for  his  trial  or  exchange,  which  promise 
1  believe  he  faithfully  kept. 

On  the  evening  of  April  2,  1863,  I  bade  farewell  to  my 
father,  Purvis,  and  Fort  Delaware,  our  little  party  boarded  a 
steamer  bound  for  Baltimore,  and  were  landed  the  following 
morning  at  Fort  McHenry.  Lieutenant  Morris,  whose 
acquaintance  had  been  made  while  a  prisoner  at  this  fort,  met 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  121 

me  at  the  landing,  and  kindly  gave  me  parole  of  the  fort,  and 
extended  me  many  little  courtesies  and  attentions. 

I  found  there  my  friend,  Captain  \Y.  B.  Compton,  now  a 
prominent  lawyer  in  Harrisonburg,  Ya.,  detained  under 
charges  which  I  deemed  trivial,  but  upon  which  he  was  after 
wards  tried  by  a  military  commission  and  sentenced  to  be 
hung;  which  penalty  he  evaded  by  a  miraculous  escape  from 
his  cell  a  few  days  before  his  execution  was  to  have  taken 
place,  and  after  his  gallows  had  been  erected. 

Note  from  mv  father's  diary  the  following : 

"  May  1 6,  1864. — Last  night  five  of  our  officers,  who  were 
in  the  interior  cell  (Compton,  Dorsey,  Shearer,  Lamar,  and 
Gubbins),  made  their  escape  by  cutting  a  hole  through  the 
roof  and  getting  over  the  parapet." 

And  on  the  25th  of  May  the  following: 

"  I  was  awakened  from  my  slumber  by  the  noise  of  a  large 
body  of  armed  men  drawn  up  in  a  hollow  square  around  the 
gallows  erected  to  hang  Captain  \Y.  B.  Compton,  who  made 
his  escape  a  few  days  ago.  In  a  moment  I  discovered  the 
victim  was  Leopold,  a  Confederate  officer  tried  and  convicted 
by  a  military  commission  held  at  this  place  last  February, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  confined  in  a  cell.  I  learned 
the  sentence  was  read  to  him  this  morning  just  before  they 
brought  him  out  to  ascend  the  scaffold.  Our  officers  were  all 
aroused  from  their  beds  to  witness  the  execution.  Leopold 
ascended  the  scaffold  firm  and  undaunted.  He  said  he  died 
in  defence  of  his  country,  for  which  he  was  willing  to  part 
with  his  life  without  a  murmur.  He  trusted  that  God  would 
yet  give  her  independence  and  liberty.  He  then  pointed 
to  General  Morris,  who  was  present  on  horseback,  and  said 
that  the  old  gray-headecl  gentleman  there  was  the  cause  of  his 
death;  that  he  was  about  to  suffer  a  felon's  death,  but  God 
was  the  Judge,  not  he;  that  he  forgave  General  Morris,  and 
hoped  to  meet  him  in  Heaven.  He  waved  his  handkerchief 
twice  to  the  Confederate  officers,  offered  a  prayer  to  God, 


122  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

and  then  told  them  he  was  ready.  Elijah  Brown,  of  the 
Second  United  States  Infantry  (Company  I)  who  had  volun 
teered  as  the  Jack  Ketch,  adjusted  the  rope,  went  down  and 
touched  the  spring,  and  at  5  130  A.  M.  he  was  launched  into 
eternity.  He  died  bravely  and  without  a  struggle.  He  was 
allowed  to  hang  thirty  minutes,  when  he  was  taken  down  and 
carried  to  the  dead-house.  General  Wallace  and  his  staff, 
who  had  come  out  from  Baltimore,  remained  on  the  ground 
until  the  body  was  taken  down.  General  Morris  rode  off 
as  soon  as  the  trap-door  fell.  Leopold  died  as  a  brave  man 
should  do,  praying  first  for  his  country,  then  for  his  widowed 
mother  and  family,  and,  lastly,  for  himself." 

Andrew  Leopold  was  a  gallant  young  soldier  from  the 
vicinity  of  Shepherdstown,  and  enlisted  in  the  beginning-  of 
the  war  in  Company  F,  First  Virginia  Cavalry  (Colonel  Mor 
gan's  company).  His  mother  is  still  alive,  and  resides  now  in 
Washington  county,  Md.  After  his  execution  his  body  was 
taken  to  Shepherdstown,  and  is  interred  in  the  Confederate 
lot  in  the  cemetery  there.  Is  it  strange  that  General  Lew 
Wallace  fled  so  precipitately  at  Monocacy?  The  ghost  of  the 
murdered  Leopold,  no  doubt,  appeared  to  him  there. 

On  the  clay  following  our  landing  at  Fort  McHenry,  some 
eighteen  officers,  including  our  Fort  Delaware  contingent, 
were  put  down  in  the  hold  of  a  boat  bound  from  Baltimore 
for  Norfolk,  with  a  lot  of  our  men  suffering  with  small-pox, 
and  not  allowed  to  pass*  above.  This  precaution  was  taken 
evidently  to  prevent  the  passengers  on  board  from  knowing 
the  condition  of  the  prisoners  below. 

On  our  arrival  at  Fortress  Monroe  my  cousin,  Colonel 
Thomas  G.  Baylor,  ordnance  officer  at  that  fort,  came  aboard, 
took  me  out  of  the  hold  and  to  the  Captain's  cabin,  and  intro 
duced  me  to  the  Captain,  who  soon  had  prepared  for  me  a 
royal  feast,  which  was  doubly  enjoyed,  as  I  was  without 
breakfast.  Shortly  afterwards  the  prisoners  were  placed  on 
an  exchange  boat,  where  we  remained  several  days  before 
going  up  to  City  Point.  My  cousin  accompanied  me  to  the 


Jno.  Easterday. 


124  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

exchange  boat,  introduced  me  to  Colonel  Mulford,  Federal 
commissioner  of  exchange,  and  I  was  allowed  a  state-room 
and  treated  with  great  civility.  During  my  stay  there  my 
cousin  gave  me  every  attention  possible,  and  made  my  stay 
exceedingly  comfortable.  Although  he  occupied  a  position 
of  trust  in  the  Federal  army,  having  graduated  from  West 
Point  just  preceding  the  war,  he  was  as  genial  and  kind  as  a 
kinsman  could  be,  and  I  felt  as  much  at  home  with  him  as 
when  years  before,  at  my  father's,  we  had  played  and  hunted 
together.  It  was  during  one  of  these  visits  that  I  met 
for  the  first  time  my  little  cousin  Kate,  his  daughter,  now 
the  wife  of  a  prominent  surgeon  in  the  army,  stationed  at 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.  Blood  is  thicker  than  water,  and,  not 
withstanding  the  bitterness  of  the  conflict,  no  unkind  feelings 
were  generated  between  my  relatives  in  the  Federal  army  and 
myself,  or  our  family,  and  when  the  war  closed,  our  ante 
bellum  intercourse  was  renewed. 

On  the  morning  our  boat  started  for  City  Point,  my  cousin 
Tom  and  his  daughter  came  on  board  to  bid  me  good-bye, 
and  were  present  when  the  guard  passed  through,  searching 
our  officers  for  everything  contraband,  which  meant  every 
thing  not  on  their  backs  and  some  things  that  were.  I  saw 
my  cousin  give  the  officer  the  wink,  and  I  was  passed  by  un 
molested,  though  having  much  greater  possessions  than  my 
brother  officers.  Such  partiality  made  me  feel  a  little 
humiliated,  but,  on  seco,nd  thought,  1  accepted  my  good  for 
tune  as  part  of  that  luck  which  seldom  failed  me  during  the 
war.  I  even  brought  safely  through  the  pair  of  spurs  Lieu 
tenant  Hill  so  kindly  permitted  me  to  keep. 

Our  boat  weighed  anchor,  and  we  were  soon  sailing  up  the 
James,  past  the  wrecks  of  the  Congress  and  the  Cumberland, 
until  we  reached  City  Point,  where  we  waited  some  hours 
the  arrival  of  our  agent  of  exchange.  Some  time  was  ex 
pended  after  his  arrival  in  arranging  a  cartel,  and.  at  one 
time,  I  feared  that  an  agreement  would  not  be  reached,  and 
that  we  would  have  to  return.  Our  fate  trembled  in  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  125 

balance.  Our  hearts  sickened  at  the  thought  of  return,  but, 
happily,  matters  were  finally  adjusted  and  we  were  landed 
on  Southern  soil.  My  heart  leaped  with  joy  when  I  was 
turned  loose,  and  realized  that  I  was  a  free  man  again.  In 
the  ardor  of  my  affection,  I  knelt  down  and  embraced  my 
Mother  Dixie  Land.  Xo  one  like  a  prisoner,  loosed  from 
his  bonds,  can  truly  appreciate  the  boon  and  blessing  of 
liberty. 

My  Uncle  Tom  lived  a  short  distance  from  City  Point,  and, 
after  bidding  farewell  to  my  prison-mates,  I  started  for  his 
home,  which  was  reached  in  a  few  hours,  and  a  warm  welcome 
was  accorded  me.  Remaining  there  a  couple  of  days,  I  was 
off  for  Richmond,  where  I  met  many  old  comrades.  Learn 
ing  that  our  brigade  was  encamped  near  Harrisonburg,  I 
hastened  to  report  for  duty  and  make  amends  for  my  "absence 
without  leave."  General  Jones  greeted  me  with  a  cordial 
shake  of  the  hand,  saying,  "  \Yell,  George,  I  think  the 
Yankees  have  punished  you  sufficiently  for  your  escapade, 
and  I  will  let  you  off." 

I  found  in  camp  my  horse  and  equipments  awaiting  my 
return.  A  few  clays  after  joining  my  regiment  our  brigade 
started  on  the  famous  raid  through  West  Virginia,  and  I  was 
careful  thereafter  to  make  no  more  visits  North  during  the 
remainder  of  the  war. 

Looking  back,  I  do  not  regret  my  little  prison  episode.  It 
gave  me  an  opportunity  of  seeing  that  phase  of  a  soldier's 
life  generally  esteemed  an  unpleasant  one.  It  made  me  fully 
realize  that  our  world  is  made  up  of  all  sorts  of  people;  some 
kind,  noble,  and  good;  others  cruel  and  inhuman.  Experience 
has  taught  me,  as  it  has  taught  others,  that  harsh  and  inhu 
man  treatment  was  seldom  inflicted  by  soldiers  who  had 
served  in  the  field  and  face:l  cannon  and  musket,  but  came 
from  home-guards,  who  had  not  smelt  powder  or  crossed 
swords  with  a  foe.  Such  instincts  do  not  accord  with  cour 
age.  "  The  bravest  are  the  tenderest." 

Our  Fort  Delaware  contingent,  as  will  be  seen  by  General 


126  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Halleck's  order,  made  a  very  narrow  escape  from  prison,  for 
within  a  few  days  after  our  exchange,  the  federal  and  Con 
federate  Commissioners  of  Exchange  got  into  a  wrangle  over 
Colonel  Streight's  officers,  captured  while  raiding  through 
Georgia,  and  the  affair  culminated  in  the  following  order  and 
a  total  cessation  of  exchange  of  officers : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  D.  C,  May  25,  1863. 

GENERAL  ORDER. 

No  Confederate  officers  will  be  paroled  or  exchanged  until 
further  orders.  They  will  be  kept  in  close  confinement,  and 
be  strongly  guarded.  Those  already  paroled  will  be  confined. 

'  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief 

My  father,  who  had  been  sent  to  Harpers  Ferry  for  trial 
by  court-martial,  came  under  the  ban  of  this  general  order, 
and  that  of  a  special  order,  as  follows : 

BALTIMORE,  MD.,  May  29,  1863. 
Brigadier-General  KELLEY, 

Harper's  Ferry,  Va. : 

Captain  Baylor,  rebel  army,  will  be  placed  in  close  con 
finement  according  to  orders. 

\V.  H.  CHEESEBOROUGH, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

When  brought  before  the  court-martial  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
my  father  had  asked  permission  to  be  allowed  counsel,  and 
had  selected  John  W.  Kennedy,  Esq.,  of  Charlestown,  a 
Union  man,  well  known  to  my  father,  but  the  Federal  author 
ities  objected  to  him,  and  he  then  selected  Mr.  Edward 
Cooke,  also  of  Charlestown,  but  he,  too,  was  persona  non 
grata,  and  not  permitted  to  appear,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  letter : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION  EIGHTH  CORPS, 

Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  June  i,  1863. 

Sir:  I  am  directed  by  the  General  Commanding  to  acknowl 
edge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  inquiry  of  to-day,  and  to 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  I2J 

inform  you  that  a  general  court-martial  has  been  appointed  to 
meet  at  Harper's  Ferry  for  the  trial  of  yourself  upon  charges 
enclosed.  I  am  directed  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Cooke  is 
more  objectionable  than  Mr.  Kennedy  as  your  counsel,  and 
that  he  has  no  objection  to  your  employing  Mr.  Pendleton  to 
act  as  such. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  ADAMS,  JR., 
Captain  and  Assistant  Judge-Advocate. 

AYhat  a  travesty  on  justice  and  fairness.  A  prisoner  being 
tried  for  his  life  and  yet  denied  his  choice  of  counsel,  and 
told  that  he  must  employ  an  attorney  selected  by  his  adver 
saries  and  accusers ! 

After  an  abortive  attempt  at  a  trial  at  Harper's  Ferry,  my 
father  continued  a  prisoner  at  Fort  McHenry,  but  his  enemies 
treated  him  with  less  rigor,  and  on  the  26th  day  of  December, 
1863,  he  was  given  the  following  parole: 

FORT  McHENRY,  MD.,  December  26,  1863. 

I,  Robert  W.  Baylor,  now  a  prisoner  at  Fort  McHenry, 
in  consideration  of  being  allowed  the  privilege  of  the  follow 
ing  grounds — viz. :  An  area  bounded  on  the  north  by  the 
sea-wall,  on  the  east  by  the  east  lines  of  the  brick  stables 
projected  to  the  water  and  to  within  50  feet  of  the  roadside, 
then  south  by  a  line  parallel  with  the  road  and  distant  from 
the  center  thereof  75  feet,  and  on  the  west  by  the  east  line  of 
the  easterly  long  barracks  building  projected  to  the  water 
and  to  within  50  feet  of  the  road,  do  hereby  give  my  parole 
of  honor  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post,  that  I  will  not 
pass  the  limits  above  described  except  to  go  to  Mrs.  Graham's 
for  my  meals;  that  I  will  not  attempt  to  escape  nor  aid  others 
to  escape;  that  I  will  have  no  correspondence  or  communica 
tion  with  any  person,  except  sutlers,  hucksters,  and  washer 
women,  who  shall  have  received  permission  to  hold  such  cor 
respondence,  or  with  the  official  of  the  post. 

ROBERT  W.  BAYLOR. 

Given  and  subscribed  before  me  at  Fort  McHenry,  Md., 
the  25th  day  of  December,  1863. 

S.  P.  WEBSTER, 
Lieutenant  and  Commissarv  of  Prisoners. 


128  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

But  there  is  a  sad  side  to  a  prisoner's  life  beyond  his  per 
sonal  trials  and  hardships,  and  I  must  be  pardoned  for  lifting 
the  veil  and  intruding  for  a  moment  into  the  domestic  affairs 
of  the  family.  In  August,  1863,  my  eldest  brother,  Richard 
(who  subsequently  fell  mortally  wounded  at  Parker's  Store, 
near  Fredericksburg,  on  November  29,  1863,),  was  married, 
and  my  father,  then  confined  at  Fort  McHenry,  was  apprized 
of  the  fact,  and  wrote  the  bride  the  following-  touching-  letter: 

o  o 

*'  FORT  MCHENRY,  MD.,  August  27,  1863. 

"  My  Dear  Daughter :  I  am  pained  to  think  I  was  deprived 
of  the  pleasure  of  being  present  to  witness  and  bless  the  union 
of  my  dear  son  to  the  fond  one  of  his  choice,  but  I  am  none 
the  less  gratified  to  receive  and  welcome  you  as  one  of  my 
children,  and  I  shall  strive  to  act  towards  you  as  one  of  my 
own.  You  are  now  leagued  together  with  us  not  only  in  as 
sociation,  sympathy,  and  family  ties,  but  also  in  habitation 
and  name.  Let  us  learn,  therefore,  to  bear  and  forbear  one 
another;  to  curb  our  imperiousness,  to  repress  our  impatience, 
to  pour  oil  on  the  billows,  instead  of  adding  fuel  to  the  flame 
of  passsion,  occasioned  too  often  by  petty  jealousy  and  com 
plaints.  Let  us  start  out  by  bearing  with  one  another's 
foibles  and  excitements  and  by  forgiving  one  another's 
offences  and  neglects.  I  hope  and  trust  you  will  never  let 
any  punctilious  ceremony  prevent  you  from  looking  up  to 
me  as  your  dear  and  only  earthly  father;  but  at  the  same  time, 
my  dear  daughter,  you  slioukl  not  forget  you  have  a  Heavenly 
Father  to  love  and  serve,  and  let  me  earnestly  entreat  you  to 
ask  His  guidance  and  direction  in  all  your  worldly  actions 
and  duties,  not  only  to  prepare  you  for  the  trials  of  this  life, 
but  for  death,  judgment,  and  Heaven.  I  know,  if  you  do,  He 
will  give  you  more  comfort  and  happiness  than  this  world 
can  bestow.  Your  earthly  love  may  not  be  less  deep  and 
fervent  because  it  may  be  subordinate  to  a  love  yet  higher. 

"  You  have  become  the  partner  in  life  of  my  dear  and 
devoted  son.  He  has  always  been  a  great  comfort  to  me  and 
a  most  dutiful  and  obedient  son.  His  wife  cannot  be  other 


"Warren  D.  English. 


Jjo  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

wise.  My  affection  for  him  shall  be  equally  shared  by  you. 
You  have  now  new  duties  and  trials.  His,  is  a  life  of  great 
peril  and  danger,  and  you  must  not  expect  to  pass  through 
this  terrible  struggle  of  carnage  and  blood  without  many 
gloomy  forebodings,  and,  perhaps,  the  loss  of  what  may 
appear  to  you  as  the  only  tie  which  binds  you  to  earth;  but 
you  must  struggle  against  such  feelings.  You  must  put  your 
trust  in  God  and  fear  not  what  man  may  do  unto  you  and 
yours.  You  must  pray  to  God  to  spare  him,  and  above  all 
to  prepare  him  to  meet  you  in  that  world  where  neither  death 
nor  strife  can  harm  you,  should  God,  in  His  wisdom,  take  him 
from  you.  My  home  is  his  home,  and  must  be  yours  until 
he  can  provide  you  a  better  one.  My  dear  wife  is  your 
mother;  be  kind  and  affectionate  to  her  and  try  to  merit  her 
maternal  sympathy  and  love,  and  all  will  work  well  together. 
Do  not  let  slight  and  trivial  irritations  mar  future  happiness. 
God  alone  knows  whether  \ve  shall  all  meet  again,  and  after 
all,  how  few  will  be  the  remaining  years  that  can  be  spent  by 
me  with  my  children  here,  compared  with  that  endlesss 
eternity  beyond.  I  earnestly  implore  God  that  it  may  be  His 
will  that  we  may  be  united  again  on  this  earth,  and  have  many 
happy  hours  together;  but  if  He  wills  it  otherwise,  He  will 
teach  us  to  look  up  and  say,  '  Thy  will  be  done/ 

"  My  dear  wife  will  give  you  the  news.  With  much  love  to 
you  and  all  my  dear  children,  farewell.  May  God  make  you 
happy,  bless  you  both,  and  prepare  you  for  an  endless  eternity 
is  the  prayer  of  your  fond  and  affectionate  father." 

Our  government  was  not  unmindful  of  its  duty  in  the 
premises  and  urged  upon  the  Federal  authorities  action  in  my 
father's  case.  As  early  as  possible  action  was  taken.  A 
Federal  officer  held  as  hostage  and  Colonel  Ould,  our  agent 
of  exchange,  requested  of  the  Federal  authorities  my  father's 
release.  After  the  trial  at  Harper's  Ferry  the  following  letter 
was  sent : 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  131 

CONFEDERATE  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Richmond,  Va.,  July  18,  1863. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  WILLIAM  H.  LUDLOW, 
Agent  of  Exchange : 

Sir, — Some  months  ago,  I  called  your  attention  to  the 
case  of  Captain  Robert  W.  Baylor,  who  was  captured  last 
year  in  Virginia,  and  who  was  held  upon  some  charges.  I 
have  understood  that  after  many  delays  a  court  was  convened 
in  his  case,  but  that  he  was  not  allowed  to  choose  his  owrn 
counsel,  or  introduce  any  witnesses  in  his  behalf,  who  would 
not  take  the  Federal  oath  of  allegiance. 

Can  you  inform  me  what  was  the  finding  of  the  court  in 
the  case,  or  whether  there  was  any  finding,  and  if  there  was 
no  finding,  what  is  proposed  to  be  done  with  Captain  Baylor? 
His  case  is  certainly  a  very  hard  one.  He  is  entirely  innocent 
of  the  charges  preferred  against  him.  He  has  been  a  prisoner 
for  more  than  five  months  and  has  been  very  roughly  treated. 
Even  now  he  has  no  bed  and  not  a  seat  to  sit  upon.  How  do 
these  things  happen? 

I  hope  this  communication  will  meet  a  different  fate  from 
most  of  the  others  wherein  I  have  ventured  to  make  specific 
inquiries  or  bring  particular  cases  to  your  notice.  I  trust  I 
shall  at  least  receive  some  answer. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Ro.  OULD, 
Agent  of  Exchange. 

As  the  information  requested  in  this  letter  was  not  given, 
on  August  5,  1863,  Colonel  Oukl  wrote  again: 

CONFEDERATE  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

Richmond,  Va. 

Brigadier-General  S.  A.  MEREDITH, 
Agent  of  Exchange : 

Sir, — On  the  i8th  of  July  last  I  addressed  two  communi 
cations  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  H.  Ludlow  in  relation 
to  Captain  R.  W.  Baylor,  Lee  A.  Dunn,  Captain  Compton, 
Major  Arnessy,  Lieutenant  Davis,  Captain  W.  F.  Gordon, 
and  Captain  Camp.  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  4th 


132  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

instant  in  answer  to  those  communications.  May  I  request 
of  you  the  favor  to  read  over  those  communications  and  ask 
yourself  whether  the  reply  is  a  frank  one?  Has  one  substan 
tial  inquiry  that  I  made  been  answerd?  I  have  had  occasion 
frequently  heretofore  to  complain  that  no  notice  was  taken 
of  my  inquiries.  This  sort  of  notice,  however,  is  little  better 
than  silence.  If  your  inquiries  of  me  and  mine  of  you  are  not 
freely  and  frankly  answered,  it  is  useless  for  us  to  write.  If  a 
response  cannot  be  given  to  the  inquiry,  why  cannot  at  least 
that  be  said?  I  again  request  that  an  answer  be  given  to  my 
inquiries  of  the  i8th  ultimo.  Ro.  OULD, 

Agent  of  Exchange. 

These  letters  and  inquiries  failed  of  any  favorable  result, 
and  my  father  was  still  detained  as  a  prisoner,  even  though 
some  high  in  authority  on  the  Federal  side  were  satisfied  the 
charges  were  groundless.  On  November  17,  1863,  Major- 
General  Hitchcock  reported  u  that  a  careful  review  of  the 
testimony  has  led  him  to  the  opinon  that  a  verdict  of  guilty 
cannot  be  found  on  it,  and  that  another  trial  could  not  bring 
out  any  new  evidence,  and  recommends  that  Captain  Baylor 
be  placed  on  the  footing  of  an  ordinary  prisoner  of  war."  But 
Judge-Advocate-General  Holt,  the  doughty  soldier  that 
warred  on  women  and  would  have  crucified  the  Saviour 
of  mankind,  dissents  from  the  opinon  of  General  Hitchcock, 
and  advocates  another  trial  by  court-martial. 

A  second  court-martial  was  accordingly  convened  at  Cum 
berland  in  February,  1864,  and  after  the  mockery  of  a  trial 
on  the  charges : 

"  Charge   i. — Violating  a  flag  of  truce. 
"  Charge  2. — Murder." 

The  specifications  of  these  charges  set  forth  that  on  the 
7th  day  of  February,  1862,  the  prisoner  exhibited,  or  caused 
to  be  exhibited,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Potomac  river  at 
Harper's  Ferry  a  flag  of  truce,  and  thereby  induced  one 
George  Rohr,  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  United  States  and  in  the 
military  service  thereof,  and  in  charge  of  a  flag-of-truce  boat, 
to  proceed  across  the  river  toward  such  flag,  and  that  when 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

said  boat  had  arrived  at  or  near  the  place  at  which  said  flag 
or  signal  was  exhibited  it  was  fired  into  by  the  said  Baylor 
or  by  his  command,  and  the  said  Rohr  was  fired  at  and 
wounds  inflicted  on  him,  of  which  he  died  on  the  said  7th  of 
February,  1862. 

And,  although  the  evidence  showed  conclusively  that  there 
was  no  flag  waved  from  the  south  side  of  the  river,  the  boat 
in  charge  of  Rohr  was  no  truce  boat,  the  men  in  it  thoroughly 
armed,  and  my  father  at  the  time  in  Charlestown,  eight  miles 
distant,  the  court  found  a  verdict  of  guilty;  but  its  finding 
was  immediately  set  aside  by  General  B.  F.  Kelley,  command 
ing  the  department,  and  his  action  approved  by  Secretary 
of  War  Stanton,  and  the  prisoner  ordered  held  for  exchange. 

The  flag  of  truce  on  the  south  side  of  the  stream  was  Uncle 
John  Sorrell,  a  servant  of  my  father's,  shouting  across  the 
river  to  the  Yankees  to  come  over  and  get  him,  that  he 
wanted  to  get  over,  and  the  crew  of  the  boat  were  pirates  and 
robbers,  fully  armed,  crossing  the  river  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  and  helping  Uncle  John  to  escape.  But  Uncle  John 
was  true  to  his  colors,  and  having  accomplished  his  ruse  de 
guerre,  made  tracks  for  Charlestown  and  left  his  quondam 
friends  to  the  mercy  of  a  picket  detail  of  my  father's  company 
stationed  under  the  trestling  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail 
road  at  this  point.  When  Uncle  John  heard  of  the  treatment 
my  father  received  on  account  of  this  affair,  he  lived  in  holy 
horror  of  falling  into  the  Yankees'  hands,  and  remained  with 
the  company  during  the  war,  and  died  some  years  after  the 
war  at  the  old  homestead,  where  he  was  kindly  cared  for  by 
my  father  and  family. 

After  the  second  trial  my  father  continued  a  prisoner  with 
no  intimation  of  an  exchange,  so  on  the  2Qth  of  February, 
1864,  he  addressed  the  following  letter: 

Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War : 

Sir, — I  have  been  a  prisoner  fifteen  months.  I  was  cap 
tured  in  December,  1862,  being  at  the  time  severely  wounded 


134  Blil1  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

in  the  lungs,  and  the  long  confinement  and  exposure  I  have 
been  compelled  to  endure  has  tended  greatly  to  increase  my 
feebleness. 

I  have  been  held  under  charges  which  I  never  com 
mitted,  which  many  of  your  officers,  high  in  rank,  who  were 
familiar  with  the  circumstances,  could  attest. 

These  charges  have  been  removed,  and  I  am  now  held 
as  a  prisoner  of  war,  for  exchange.  I  was  captured  prior  to 
any  interruption  of  exchanges  under  the  cartel.  All  officers 
captured  months  after  have  been  exchanged.  I  was  held 
under  charges  which,  being  removed,  should  entitle  me  to  an 
immediate  exchange. 

If  you  should  reject  the  above  application  for  my  ex 
change,  can  I  not  be  permitted  to  go  South,  on  parole  for  a 
period  of  sixty  or  ninety  days,  with  the  understanding  that 
if  my  government  w^ill  not  release  an  officer  of  equal  rank  now 
held  by  it,  I  will  return  to  captivity  at  the  expiration  of  the 
parole?  Very  respectfully, 

ROBERT  W.  BAYLOR, 
Captain  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry. 

But  the  above  application  for  exchange  and  parole  were 
refused,  and  my  father  remained  in  close  confinement  until 
October,  1864,  a  period  of  twenty-two  months  in  all,  when  he 
was  finally  exchanged  and  released  from  a  cruel  barbarity. 
Holy  Writ  teaches  us  there  is  a  great  tribunal  where  justice 
is  fully  administered  and  the  wrongs  of  this  world  are  righted. 
Somebody  must  answer  for  the  misery  caused  and  the  cruelty 
inflicted  on  my  father,  and  I  will  only  say,  as  one  of  our  pious 
artillerymen  used  to  pray,  as  he  touched  off  his  guns,  "  May 
the  Lord  have  mercy  on  their  souls." 


Wm.  C.  Frazier. 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  fierceness  of  the  fight!     How  saber  drove 
At  sword!     How  swift  and  strong  the  strokes  that  fell! 
Their  dreadful  deeds  I  pass  unsung;   they  dwell 

With  unessential  night,  whose  awful  screen, 

Hid  them  from  notice;  they  were  deeds  that  well 

Deserved  a  noon-day  sun,  and  to  have  been 

By  the  whole  world  at  once  in  cloudless  glory  seen. 

Tasao. 

On  the  2 ist  of  April,  our  brigade,  under  General  William 
E.  Jones,  broke  camp  at  Lacey  Springs,  Rockingham  county, 
Virginia,  and  moved  westward  across  the  mountains  on  what 
was  familiarly  known  as  Jones's  West  Virginia  raid. 

On  arriving  at  Moorefield  we  found  the  Potomac  swollen 
by  recent  rains  and  impassable.  The  brigade  was  compelled 
to  ascend  the  river  to  Petersburg  to  effect  a  crossing,  and 
even  at  that  point  the  passage  was  attended  with  danger  and 
loss  of  life,  and  our  artillery,  the  loss  of  which  was  soon 
realized,  had  to  abandon  the  trip  and  return  to  the  Valley. 

The  passage  of  the  Potomac  was  alarming  and  exciting  and 
many  sad  and  many  laughable  incidents  occurred.  Some 
feared  to  cross  and  remained  anxious  spectators  on  the  bank. 
Two  men  in  the  Sixth  Cavalry  were  drowned.  Sergeant-Major 
Figgat,  of  the  Twelfth,  was  swept  from  his  horse,  but  saved 
himself  by  grasping  his  horse's  tail,  and  was  safely  landed 
with  his  steed  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below.  Many  of  our 
officers  and  men  prepared  themselves  for  the  emergency  by 
shifting  their  coats  and  arms  to  their  horses,  and  making  all 
necessary  preparation  for  a  struggle  with  the  waters.  As  the 
art  of  swimming  was  unknown  to  me,  I  trusted  in  God  alone 
to  bear  me  safely  over.  I  remember  yet  the  depressing  still 
ness  of  the  men  on  this  occasion,  as  the  column  slowly  moved 
through  the  water.  The  Israelites  never  moved  through  the 

[136] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  137 

Red  Sea  with  more  awe  and  solemnity.  As  we  neared  the 
opposite  bank,  beyond  the  danger  line,  this  awful  silence 
was  broken  by  the  stentorian  voice  of  Sergeant  Trussell, 
"  Close  ii|),  men;  bear  up  the  stream."  This  great  display  of 
courage,  after  the  crisis  was  passed,  caused  much  mirth 
among  the  boys  at  the  Sergeant's  expense,  and  the  order 
was  often  repeated  along  our  journey,  never  failing  to  pro 
voke  laughter  and  jollity. 

On  arriving  at  Greenland  Gap  we  sorely  missed  our  artil 
lery,  as  the  enemy  was  found  in  buildings  commanding  the 
pass  and  his  dislodgment  cost  us  a  loss  of  six  men  killed  and 
twenty  wounded.  With  one  piece  of  artillery  this  loss  would 
have  been  avoided  and  precious  time  saved. 

In  the  attack  on  this  place,  seventy-five  prisoners,  arms, 
and  equipments,  and  several  wagons  were  captured.  Hurry 
ing  on  from  Greenland  Gap  and  reaching  the  Northwestern 
Grade,  the  Maryland  Battalion  and  the  Twelfth  Cavalry  were 
sent  to  Oakland.  Company  B  had  the  advance,  and  entered 
Oakland  at  n  A.  M.  on  the  2/th  of  April  (Sunday),  and  sur 
prised  and  captured  a  company  of  fifty-seven  infantry  and 
three  officers.  Many  of  the  Federal  soldiers  were  found 
(much  to  their  credit)  at  church  with  their  sweethearts,  and 
it  was  with  much  regret  that  we  were  compelled  to  sunder 
these  loving  hearts  for  a  short  time.  We  found  the  girls 
more  pugnacious  and  less  tractable  than  the  men.  A  very 
pious  member  of  our  company,  ordered  to  arrest  a  Yankee 
who  was  walking  with  a  girl,  approached  the  couple  with  a 
courtly  bow,  tipping  his  hat  and  courteously  informing  the 
combatant  he  was  a  prisoner.  The  soldier  recognized  the 
situation  and  succumbed  at  once,  but  the  girl  broke  out  in 
a  most  awful  tirade  of  abuse,  which  culminated  in,  "  You 
bald-headed  son  of  a  -  — ."  As  our  pious  comrade  re 
turned  with  his  prisoner,  he  exclaimed,  "  Please  God,  I  never 
heard  a  woman  talk  that  way  before." 

It  was  on  this  occasion  that  ex-Postmaster-General  Wilson 
humorously  accosted  a  lady,  apparently  not  pleased  with  the 


138  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

new  visitors,  and  asked  if  she  did  not  think  "  the  rebels  were 
better  looking  than  the  Yankees,"  to  which  she  contemptu 
ously  replied :  "  You  good  looking!  You  look  like  your  mous 
tache  had  been  dyed  three  weeks  in  buttermilk."  This  was 
not  very  flattering  to  the  pride  of  our  embryo  Postmaster- 
General,  who  even  yet  prides  himself  on  that  moustache. 

Destroying  the  railroad  bridges  east  of  the  town,  the  rail 
road  and  turnpike  bridges  over  the  Youghieny,  and  a  train 
of  cars,  our  column  moved  on  Cranberry  Summit  (now  Terra 
Alta),  capturing  a  lot  of  maple  sugar  and  fifteen  soldiers  and 
twenty  home-guards,  who  were  paroled  and  released,  as  were 
also  the  prisoners  taken  at  Oakland. 

Moving  rapidly  west,  Kingwood  and  Morgantown  were 
entered  without  opposition,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  28th, 
our  force  rejoined  General  Jones  and  the  remainder  of  the 
brigade  near  Independence. 

While  in  Morgantown  our  boys  cut  down  the  Stars  and 
Stripes,  found  floating  from  the  top  of  a  tall  flag-pole  near 
the  court-house,  and  as  I  have  no  expectation  of  running  for 
office,  I  must,  in  justice  to  the  truth  of  history,  penitently 
acknowledge  that  I  was  an  accessory  before,  in,  and  after  the 
fact.  It  was  while  in  this  town  that  two  of  the  most  gallant 
and  chivalrous  members  of  Company  B  were  with  difficulty 
prevented  from  fighting  a  duel  in  the  street  of  the  town  over 
the  charms  of  one  of  its  fair  ladies.  After  resting  a  few  hours 
near  Independence,  we  again  entered  Morgantown,  capturing 
many  fine  horses,  which  had  been  successfully  run  off  at  our 
first  entrance  and  brought  back  after  it  was  supposed  our 
forces  had  made  their  final  departure.  Hon.  W.  L.  Wilson's 
canvass  for  Congress  in  after  years  was  much  burdened  by 
the  capture  of  these  horses,  as  he  was  charged  with  having 
stolen  them  all. 

Passing  over  the  bridge  at  Morgantown,  we  started  in  the 
direction  of  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  but  prudence  counsel 
ling  us  that  a  further  advance  into  the  enemy's  country  was 
dangerous,  in  the  extreme,  we  counter-marched  and  moved 
south. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

On  the  29th  our  brigade  attacked  Fairmont,  which  was 
defended  by  400  infantry  and  300  home-guards.  As  the 
enemy  seemed  inclined  to  dispute  our  entrance,  the  larger 
part  of  our  command  was  dismounted  and  the  assault  begun. 
Our  squadron  (Companies  B  and  I),  under  command  of  the 
gallant  Captain  Charles  T.  O'Ferrall  (now  ex-Governor  of 
Virginia),  were  directed  to  reconnoiter  on  our  right,  where, 
being  assured  a  charge  would  be  successful,  we  dashed  into 
the  town  and  the  enemy  tied  in  confusion.  Finding  the 
flooring  of  the  suspension  bridge  torn  up,  we  speedily  relaid 
it,  and  our  regiment  and  a  portion  of  White's  Battalion  cross 
ed,  and,  passing  up  to  the  railroad  bridge,  found  it  guarded 
by  300  men.  After  a  vigorous  assault  on  both  sides  of  the 
river,  the  enemy  raised  the  white  flag,  and  275  prisoners  were 
secured.  A  few  moments  after  the  enemy  stacked  arms,  a 
train  with  artillery  and  infantry  arrived  to  reinforce  this 
guard,  but  they  were  met  by  our  men  and  soon  forced  to  re 
treat. 

The  bridge  was  destroyed.  One  piece  of  artillery,  300 
small-arms,  and  many  horses  were  captured,  twelve  men 
killed,  and  twenty  wounded.  Our  loss  was  three  wounded. 
Leaving  our  wounded  in  the  hands  ot  friends,  at  dark  we  re 
sumed  our  march,  and  the  next  day  reached  Bridgeport, 
where  forty-seven  prisoners,  arms,  and  horses  were  captured, 
a  bridge  destroyed,  a  train  run  into  the  stream,  and  the  trest- 
ling  burned.  Continuing  our  march,  we  entered  Philippi 
about  noon  the  next  day.  From  Philippi  we  moved  to  Buck- 
hannon,  where  we  found  General  Imboden,  and  after  a  short 
halt  proceeded  to  Weston. 

On  May  6th,  a  portion  of  our  brigade,  including  the 
Twelfth  regiment,  moved  to  West  Union,  where  the  bridges 
to  the  right  and  left  of  the  town  were  burned  and  ninety-four 
prisoners  taken  and  paroled.  On  the  9th  we  reached  Oil 
Town,  where  a  large  accumulation  of  oil  on  the  banks  of  the 
river  was  set  on  fire,  and  the  burning  fluid,  spreading  over 
the  river,  the  novel  spectacle  of  a  river  on  fire  was  presented, 


140  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Ruu. 

and  some  fleeing-  boatmen  just  ahead  of  the  rolling  flames  ren 
dered  the  scene  exciting  indeed.  From  Oil  Town  we  jour 
neyed  to  Glenville,  Sutton,  and  Summersville,  where  we  re 
joined  General  Imboden.  From  this  point  we  returned  by 
slow  marches  to  the  Valley.  In  thirty  days  our  brigade 
travelled  nearly  700  miles,  killed  twenty-five  to  thirty  of  the 
enemy,  wounded  seventy-five  to  eighty,  captured  700  prison 
ers,  with  their  arms  and  equipments,  one  piece  of  artillery, 
two  trains  of  cars,  burned  sixteen  railroad  bridges,  and  de 
stroyed  one  tunnel,  150,000  barrels  of  oil,  and  brought  home 
with  us  about  1,200  horses  and  1,000  cattle.  The  consterna 
tion  caused  among  the  enemy  by  this  raid  was  astonishing, 
as  will  appear  from  a  few  telegrams: 

WHEELING,  April  28,  1863. 

General  Ripley :  Post-office  and  banks  are  all  packing  up 
to  leave;  1,500  Imboden's  Cavalry  within  thirty  miles.  I 
have  no  men  nor  trains.  Shall  I  blow  up  the  depot  in  case 
it  is  necessary?  A.  R.  BUFFINGTON, 

Captain  of  Ordnance. 

WASHINGTON,  April  28,  1863. 
Major-General  SCHENCK,  Baltimore,  Md. : 

Have  you  no  troops  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  which 
can  promptly  be  thrown  into  Wheeling  by  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad?  The  enemy  seems  to  march  more  rapidly  than  we 
move  by  rail.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief. 

WASHINGTON,  April  29,  1863. 
Major-General  SCHENCK,  Baltimore,  Md. : 

Two  companies  have  gone  from  Sandusky  to  Wheeling, 
and  Governor  Todd  has  also  sent,  it  is  said,  some  others  to  the 
same  place.  The  enemy's  raid  is  variously  estimated  at  from 
1,500  to  4,000.  You  have  40,000  under  your  command.  If 
you  cannot  concentrate  enough  to  meet  the  enemy,  it  does 
not  argue  well  for  your  military  dispositions. 

H.  W.  HALLECK, 
General-in-Chief. 


Jos.  D.  Fry. 


142  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

HARRISBURG,  April  28,  1863. 
Hon.  E.  M.  ST ANTON  :  • 

It  is  reported  to  me  that  the  rebels  have  taken  and  now 
hold  Morgantown  in  force.  Please  say  if  you  have  any  infor 
mation,  and  if  force  will  be  sent  on,  if  there.  We  have  no 
force  in  the  State,  and  you  could  send  troops  before  we  could 
organize  any.  A.  G.  CURTIN, 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania, 

But  President  Lincoln,  with  his  usual  sagacity,  sums  up 
the  situation  in  a  nutshell,  and  replies: 

Hon.  A.  G.  CURTIN  : 

I  do  not  think  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  should  be 
uneasy  about  an  invasion.  Doubtless  a  small  force  of  the 
enemy  is  flourishing  about  in  the  northern  part  of  Virginia 
on  the  "  screwhorn  "  principle,  on  purpose  to  divert  us  in 
another  quarter.  I  believe  it  is  nothing  more.  We  think  we 
have  adequate  force  close  after  them.  A.  LINCOLN. 

Our  brigade  reached  the  Valley  the  latter  part  of  May,  and 
in  the  first  part  of  June  crossed  the.  Blue  Ridge  and  joined 
the  cavalry  corps  under  General  Stuart  near  Culpeper  Court 
house.  On  the  /th,  General  Stuart  had  his  great  cavalry  re 
view  on  the  plains  near  Brandy  Station,  and  on  the  8th,  Gen 
eral  R.  E.  Lee  reviewed  us,  preparatory  to  a  forward  move 
ment  on  the  gth;  but  the  enemy  anticipated  this  movement 
by  crossing  the  river  with  the  Federal  cavalry  corps  under 
General  Pleasanton,  10,000  strong,  and  two  brigades  of  in 
fantry.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  Qth,  the  ball  was  opened 
north  of  Brandy  Station  near  St.  James  church,  the  enemy 
driving  in  our  pickets  and  attacking  the  reserve  of  the  Sixth 
Virginia  Cavalry  of  our  brigade  about  6  A.  M.  Our  regi 
ment,  which  was  camped  near,  was  hastened  forward  to  re 
inforce  the  Sixth,  and  the  fight  soon  became  animated,  charge 
and  counter-charge,  first  one  side,  then  the  other  being  the 
victor.  The  two  opposing  forces  of  cavalry  were  nearly  equal 
in  numbers,  about  10,000  on  either  side,  the  Federals  having 
the  advantage  alone  in  the  infantry  support.  The  fighting 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  143 

on  the  center  of  the  line  was  entirely  on  horseback,  and  the 
ground  was  well  adapted  to  cavalry  movements.  Here  was 
fought  the  greatest  cavalry  engagement  of  the  war,  and 
fought  in  real  cavalry  style  and  manner.  The  sight  was 
grand.  Sabers  clashed  and  horses  and  riders  fell  together. 

Our  first  onset  was  with  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
and  as  we  drove  them  back  from  our  guns,  which  \vere  almost 
in  their  grasp,  to  the  woods  from  which  they  had  emerged, 
another  regiment  issued  forth  to  its  aid,  met  and  repulsed  our 
charge,  and  soon  they  in  turn  were  repulsed.  These  charges 
and  counter-charges  continued  until  noon,  without  any  de 
cisive  advantage  to  either  side,  but  with  considerable  loss  to 
both,  in  men  and  horses. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  our  regiment  and  White's  Bat 
talion  w7ere  ordered  to  repair  in  haste  to  Fleetwood  Hill, 
about  a  mile  in  our  rear,  to  meet  a  column  of  Federal  cavalry 
under  General  Gregg  which  had  passed  to  our  right  and  rear 
and  was  in  possession  of  Brandy  Station. 

The  Twelfth  regiment  moved  off  in  a  gallop,  Company  B 
in  the  advance,  witli  instructions  to  charge  the  enemy  as 
soon  as  he  appeared  in  sight.  The  regiment,  in  the  great 
haste  with  which  it  repaired  to  the  point  designated,  became 
much  scattered  and  lengthened  out,  with  Company  B  consid 
erably  in  advance.  When  the  summit  of  Fleetwood  Hill  was 
gained,  we  discovered  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which, proved  to 
be  the  First  Maryland,  coming  up  the  southern  slope  of  the 
hill,  in  platoons,  with  its  flag  and  guidons  fluttering  in  the 
breeze,  closely  followed  by  the  First  Pennsylvania  and  the 
First  New  Jersey  to  our  left,  all  under  the  command  of  Colo 
nel  (Sir  Percy)  Wyndham,  who,  in  1862,  our  brigade  had 
captured  near  Cross  Keys.  These  Federal  regiments  pre7 
sented  a  beautiful,  but  awe-inspiring,  sight  to  our  little  troop; 
but  Lieutenant  Rouss,  in  obedience  to  orders,  gave  the  com 
mand  to  charge,  and  down  the  slope  we  darted,  striking  the 
head  of  the  column  and  throwing  it  into  rout  and  confusion. 
But  our  success  was  of  short  duration,  for  the  First  Pennsvl- 


144  Bull  R^i  to  Bull  Run. 

vania,  now  charging,  by  force  of  numbers  pressed  our  com 
pany  back  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  when* the  residue  of  the 
Twelfth  regiment  coming  tip,  the  fight  for  the  possession  of 
the  hill  became  general. 

Colonel  Wyndham,  in  his  official  report  referring  to  this 
part  of  the  engagement,  says  : 

'  The  First  Maryland,  which  consisted  of  little  more  than 
a  squadron,  led  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Deems,  charged,  but 
were  met  by  fully  a  regiment  of  the  enemy,  posted  behind 
the  buildings  and  drawn  up  in  the  garden  and  orchard,  and, 
after  a  brief  and  spirited  fight,  were  compelled  to  fall  back. 
The  First  Pennsylvania  coming  up,  charged  next.  Colonel 
Taylor,  leading  part  of  the  regiment,  struck  the  enemy  in 
front,  while  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gardner,  with  the  balance, 
dashed  on  his  flank  next  to  the  house.  Attacked  at  both 
points,  he  was  forced  back,  cut  off  from  the  house,  his  rear 
gained,  and  driven  from  his  cover  into  the  open  plain  below, 
where  he  was  again  met  by  the  First  Maryland  Cavalry, 
which  had  rallied.  Thus  assailed  on  both  sides,  his  force  was 
completely  scattered,  a  large  number  being  killed,  wounded, 
or  captured.  My  loss  is  one  officer  killed  and  fourteen 
wounded  or  missing;  fourteen  men  killed  and  120  wounded 
or  missing." 

Colonel  Broderick,  of  the  First  New  Jersey,  was  killed, 
and  Colonel  Wyndham,  commanding  the  brigade,  wounded. 
The  return  of  the  casualties  of  this  brigade,  as  compiled, 
makes  the  number  larger  than  Colonel  Wyndham's  report, 
and  is  as  follows :  "  Three  officers  killed  and  fifteen  enlisted 
men;  ten  officers  wounded  and  forty-two  enlisted  men;  two 
officers  captured  and  seventy-eight  enlisted  men,  the  aggre 
gate  loss  in  the  First  Maryland  alone  being  sixty-three." 

While  the  Twelfth  Cavalry  was  wrestling  with  the  enemy 
for  the  possession  of  Fleetwood  Hill,  Colonel  White,  with  his 
battalion,  arrived,  and,  making  a  gallant  charge,  drove  the 
enemy  back  and  seized  their  guns,  just  planted  to  the  south 
of  the  hill;  but  after  holding  them  for  a  few  minutes  was 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  145 

driven  back.  General  Stuart  in  person  now  joined  us  in  the 
fight,  and  the  contest  was  renewed  with  increased  vigor  under 
General  Stuart's  personal  leadership,  without  much  regi 
mental  or  company  organization,  but  more  as  a  body-guard. 
Several  times  the  enemy  reached  our  guns,  which  had  taken 
position  on  the  hill  and  had  become  our  rallying  point;  but 
after  a  desperate  struggle,  had  been  driven  back  in  confusion 
and  with  great  loss.  We  were  now  fighting  Gregg's  entire 
division  of  cavalry  and  Russell's  brigade  of  infantry. 

At  this  juncture,  the  Sixth,  Seventh,  and  Eleventh  Vir 
ginia  Cavalry  of  our  brigade  came  up,  and,  charging  the 
enemy,  captured  their  guns  and  drove  them  back  and  away 
from  Brandy  Station,  causing  Gregg  to  retreat  in  rout  and 
confusion,  and  so  the  day's  fight  was  virtually  ended. 

General  Pleasanton  at  n  A.  M.,  while  our  brigade  was 
fighting  him  near  St.  James  church,  reports  as  follows : 

"  General :  All  the  enemy's  forces  are  engaged  with  me. 
I  am  holding  them  until  Gregg  can  come  up.  Gregg's  guns 
are  being  heard  in  the  enemy's  rear." 

But  at  12:30  P.  M.,  after  Gregg  had  been  driven  from  our 
rear,  he  again  reports : 

"  General  Gregg  has  joined  me,  and  I  will  now  attack  the 
enemy  vigorously  with  my  whole  force.  Prisoners  report 
that  Stuart  has  30,000  cavalry  here.  Both  Lees,  Jones,  and 
Hampton  are  with  him.  We  have  had  a  sharp  fight  and  have 
lost  heavily,  as  we  had  the  whole  force  in  front  of  one-half  of 
my  command.  Colonel  Davis,  Eighth  New  York,  and  Cap 
tain  Canfield,  Second  United  States  Cavalry,  are  killed; 
Major  Morris,  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  is  a  prisoner,  with 
a  number  of  others.  We  have  about  100  in  hospital,  wound 
ed,  Major  Beveridge,  Eighth  Illinois,  among  the  number. 
B u ford  and  Ames  have  driven  the  enemy's  whole  force  out 
of  his  strongest  position.  It  would  be  well  to  scud  a  good  force 
of  the  FiftJi  Corps  toward  Brandy  Station,  if  it  can  be  spared." 

When  the  enemy  doubles  and  trebles  the  opposing  force, 


146  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

it  may  be  assumed  his  fears  have  gotten  the  better  of  him;  but 
when  he  calls  for  help,  you  may  rest  assured  he  has  gotten 
enough,  and  so  it  was  with  Pleasanton.  His  vigorous  attack 
was  made  in  his  report  only.  He  was  more  than  satisfied, 
and  rested  from  his  labors,  and  the  great  fight  was  virtually 
ended. 

We  had  fought  the  whole  day  without  anything  to  eat  or 
drink,  and  with  no  food  or  water  for  our  horses,  and  we  were 
glad  of  an  opportunity  for  both  to  get  refreshment.  Com 
pany  B  lost  in  the  fight  near  St.  James  church:  Hec.  Isler, 
killed;  and  at  Fleetwood  Hill,  George  Lewis,  Up.  Manning, 
and  Warren  McKown,  killed;  and  four  men  wounded,  and 
Lieutenant  Ronss  and  Buck  Ranson,  the  former  of  whom  re 
mained  a  prisoner  until  the  close  of  the  war,  prisoners. 

The  loss  in  our  corps  was  severe  in  both  men  and  horses, 
but  not  so  great  as  that  of  the  enemy.  General  Pleasanton 
admits  a  loss  of  907,  while  General  Stuart  reports  his  loss  at 
480.  The  field  between  Brandy  Station  and  the  river  was 
dotted  over  with  dead  men  and  horses.  There  were  other 
battles  during  the  war  between  the  opposing  cavalry  forces, 
where  fully  as  large  numbers  were  engaged,  but  these  en 
gagements  were  fought  in  great  part  by  dismounted  cavalry, 
while  Brandy  Station  was  unique  in  that  it  was  a  distinctly 
cavalry  fight,  the  horses  suffering  equally  with  the  riders, 
and  individual  prowess  and  daring  was  more  conspicuous. 

In  this  engagement 'on  our  side  were  the  three  cavalry  di 
visions  of  Fitz  Lee,  W.  H.  F.  Lee,  and  Hampton  and  the 
horse  artillery,  while  Pleasanton  had  the  three  divisions  of 
Gregg,  Buford,  and  Kilpatrick,  and  the  infantry  brigades  of 
Ames  and  Russell,  with  the  horse  artillery,  both  infantry  bri 
gades  being  actively  engaged  in  the  fight. 

While  the  enemy's  cavalry  and  infantry  had  met  a  repulse 
and  severe  loss,  the  cavalry  had  gained  confidence  in  them 
selves,  and  this  body  of  men,  who,  prior  to  this  time,  had 
afforded  us  more  amusement  than  work,  had  now  emerged 
from  their  state  of  inefficiency  and  had  become  foemen 
worthy  of  our  steel. 


James  Nelson  Gallaher. 


CHAPTER  XL 

O!    there  are  men  who  linger  on  the  stage 

To  gather  crumbs  and  fragments  of  applause 

When  they  should  sleep  in  earth — who,  like  the  moon, 

Have  brightened  up  some  little  night  of  time, 

And  'stead  of  setting  when  their  light  is  worn, 

Still  linger,  like  its  blank  and  beamless  orb, 

When  daylight  fills  the  sky. 

Alexander  Smith. 

A  few  days  after  the  fight  at  Brandy  Station,  our  cavalry 
corps  moved  in  the  direction  of  Fanquier  county,  interposing 
between  the  Federal  army  and  General  Lee's  infantry 
column,  passing  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  The  move 
ments  of  our  army  produced  consternation  in  the  enemy's 
camp.  Hooker  was  so  dazed  he  did  not  know  what  to  do, 
and  was  constantly  worrying  President  Lincoln  about  the 
situation.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Lincoln  sent  him  this 
unique  and  caustic  message: 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  June  14,  1863. 
Major-General  HOOKER  : 

So  far  as  we  can  make  out  here,  the  enemy  have  Milroy 
surrounded  at  Winchester  and  Tyler  at  Martinsburg.  If  they 
could  hold  out  a  few  clays,  could  you  help  them?  If  the  head 
of  Lee's  army  is  at  Martinsburg  and  the  tail  of  it  on  the  Plank 
road,  between  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  the  ani 
mal  must  be  very  slim  somewhere.  Could  you  not  break 
him  ? 

On  the  iQth,  our  brigade  reached  Union,  in  Loudoim 
county,  where  position  was  taken  on  Stuart's  left.  On  the 
morning  of  the  2ist,  brisk  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction 
of  Middlebnrg;  soon  after,  Jones's  and  Chambliss's  brigades 
were  attacked  by  Bit  ford's  Division.  Our  position  was  main 
tained  until  noon,  when  Generals  Jones  and  Chambliss  were 

[148] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  149 

ordered  to  retire  in  the  direction  of  Upperville.  As  Upper- 
ville  was  approached,  it  was  apparent  the  enemy  were  driving 
General  Stuart  on  the  Middleburg  turnpike  and  were  then 
in  close  proximity  to  Upperville,  and  a  deflection  to  our 
right  was  necessary  to  effect  a  junction  with  Stuart's  forces. 

While  in  the  execution  of  this  move,  our  brigade  was  vigo 
rously  assailed  by  Buford's  Division  and  a  severe  contest  en 
sued.  Our  artillery  was  quickly  brought  into  action;  our 
regiments,  one  after  another,  were  drawn  into  the  fight,  and 
after  a  brisk  contest  the  enemy  was  driven  back. 

In  the  hottest  of  the  engagement  our  squadron  com 
mander,  Captain  Charles  T.  O'Ferrall,  severely  wounded  and 
supposed  to  be  killed,  was  carried  from  the  field  on  horse 
back  in  front  of  one  of  our  men.  His  true  condition  was  not 
ascertained  until  a  place  of  safety  was  reached  and  his  body 
was  being  placed  in  an  ambulance.  The  contest  around 
Upperville  was  spirited  on  both  sides,  but  opposing  numbers 
were  too  great,  and  we  were  forced  back  to  Paris,  fighting 
each  step  of  the  way.  We  engaged  on  this  occasion  Gregg's 
and  Buford's  divisions  of  cavalry,  three  brigades  each,  and 
Vincent's  brigade  of  infantry;  on  our  side  we  had  Hampton's, 
Robertson's,  Chambliss's,  and  Jones's  brigades;  yet  with  this 
disparity  in  numbers,  it  had  required  the  longest  day  of  the 
year  to  drive  us  six  miles. 

About  the  close  of  the  fight  I  witnessed  a  charge  on  the 
enemy  led  by  that  sturdy  old  soldier,  General  Wade  Hamp 
ton.  Gregg  and  Buford  were  pressing  our  forces  near  Paris 
quite  vigorously,  and  one  of  their  regiments  had  the  temerity 
to  charge  into  our  slowly  retreating  column,  when  Hampton, 
seemingly  angered,  looking  a  veritable  god  of  war,  drew  his 
saber,  called  to  the  First  North  Carolina  to  follow  him, 
plunged  into  the  charging  column  of  the  enemy,  and  soon 
reversed  the  situation.  The  hostile  force  vanished  under  the 
saber  strokes  of  the  General  and  his  men.  The  enemy, 
severely  punished,  did  not  molest  us  further. 

The  relations  between  Generals  Stuart  and  Jones  were  by 


150  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

no  means  cordial,  and  this  unfriendliness  was  the  source  of 
much  regret  to  officers  and  men  of  our  brigade,  who  esteemed 
both  generals  highly.  When  Stuart,  therefore,  obtained  per 
mission  to  pass  around  the  Federal  army  and  between  it  and 
Washington,  the  brigades  of  Hampton,  Fitz  Lee,  and  W.  H. 
F.  Lee  were  selected,  and  Jones  and  Robertson  left  behind 
to  protect  the  right  flank  of  Lee's  army  on  its  march  north 
of  the  Potomac. 

Our  brigade  remained  in  Loudoun  county  until  it  was  as 
certained  that  Hooker  had  crossed  the  Potomac  into  Mary 
land,  then  crossed  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  General 
Jones,  leaving  the  Twelfth  regiment  in  Jefferson  to  picket 
and  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy  (who  still  occupied 
Harper's  Ferry)  on  the  right  and  rear  of  General  Lee's  army, 
crossed  the  Potomac  with  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  and 
joined  General  Lee. 

Company  B  was  posted  to  watch  and  observe  any  move 
ment  from  Harper's  Ferry.  On  the  3Oth,  having  obtained 
permission  from  Colonel  Massie,  commanding  regiment, 
to  attack  the  enemy's  cavalry  picket  reserve  in  Bolivar,  just 
before  daybreak,  with  40  men  of  Company  B,  we  evaded  the 
outer  picket  by  passing  close  along  the  banks  of  the  Potomac 
and  under  the  shadow  of  Bolivar  Heights,  until  the  rear  of 
the  town  was  reached;  then,  pressing  rapidly  into  the  town, 
we  found  the  reserve  asleep,  and,  killing  one  in  the  melee, 
captured  one  officer,  19' men,  21  horses  and  equipments,  with 
out  loss  and  brought  them  safely  into  camp. 

In  his  official  report,  Colonel  Massie  says :  "  The  affair  was 
well  planned  and  gallantly  executed." 

On  the  next  day,  July  ist,  the  enemy  withdrew  his  forces 
from  the  south  side  of  the  Potomac,  and  Company  B  took 
possession  of  Harper's  Ferry,  finding  commisssary,  quarter 
master,  and  ordnance  stores,  abandoned  by  the  enemy.  On 
the  3d  we  crossed  the  river  and  scouted  down  to  within  five 
miles  of  Frederick  City,  without  encountering  any  force  of 
the  enemy.  At  this  time,  the  guns  were  booming  at  Gettys- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  151 

burg,  and  the  great  battle  was  in  progress.  On  the  7th,  the 
enemy  reoccupied  Maryland  Heights  and  on  the  i/j-th  crossed 
the  Potomac. 

Colonel  Harman,  who  had  been  wounded  at  Brandy 
Station,  returned  and  took  command  of  the  regiment,  then 
camped  about  a  mile  west  of  Charlestown.  On  resuming 
command,  he  called  for  Company  B,  and  moved  us  down  the 
turnpike  as  far  as  Halltown,  where  Company  K's  reserve 
was  posted.  Then,  taking  a  squad  of  six  men  with  him,  he 
moved  to  the  front  in  the  direction  of  Bolivar.  A  short  time 
afterwards,  hearing  some  firing  in  that  direction,  Company 
B  was  ordered  to  mount,  and  had  just  crossed  the  railroad  at 
Halltown,  when  the  Federal  cavalry  appeared,  pursuing  some 
of  our  men,  who  had  gone  forward  with  Colonel  Harman. 
A  charge  was  ordered,  and  the  enemy  was  met  in  the  stream. 
We  soon  turned  the  tide  and  pursued  to  beyond  Bolivar 
Heights,  capturing  one  major,  one  lieutenant,  30  men,  and 
31  horses  and  equipments,  and  killing  and  wounding  several. 

Captain  Blakelee,  commanding  the  First  Connecticut 
Cavalry,  in  his  official  report  of  this  affair  to  General  Naglee, 
says: 

"  Major  Farnsworth,  myself  and  50  men,  crossed  the  Poto 
mac  by  order  of  General  Naglee,  to  reconnoiter  the  enemy's 
position  beyond  Bolivar  Heights  and  ascertain  their  strength. 
About  two  miles  from  Harper's  Ferry  the  advance  guard 
(18  men),  under  myself,  charged  upon  the  pickets  of  the 
enemy,  numbering  about  30  men,  and  drove  them  in  confu 
sion  back  on  their  reserve.  Major  Farnsworth  coming  up, 
now  charged  on  the  whole  reserve  of  the  enemy,  about  200 
strong.  The  enemy  charged,  and  it  became  a  fierce  hand-to- 
hand  fight,  in  which,  owing  to  the  disparity  of  our  numbers, 
they  repulsed  us  and  rescued  several  prisoners  whom  we  had 
previously  taken,  and  I  am  sorry  to  add,  captured  Major 
Farnsworth  and  24  men.  The  Major's  horse  was  shot  under 
him,  and  he  foug'ht  most  gallantly  on  foot  with  his  saber, 
until  he  was  overpowered  and  taken  prisoner." 


I52  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

The  gallant  captain  has  reversed  our  numbers;  we  had  the 
50  men  and  the  Major  had  the  200.  • 

It  was  \vhile  engaged  on  this  picket  duty  and  prior  to  the 
inoccupation  of  Harper's  Ferry  by  the  Federal  army,  that 
late  one  evening  I  was  visited  by  our  Lieutenant-Colonel  and 
a  gallant  captain  (now  dead),  who  informed  me  of  a  little 
project  they  had  on  hand  for  the  night,  and  in  which  they 
needed  the  assistance  of  myself  and  some  half-dozen  trusty 
men.     I  made  the  selection,  the  scheme  was  unfolded  and  the 
reward  promised,  which  was  sufficient  inducement  of  itself 
for  our  hearty  co-operation.     About  10  P.  M.  our  little  party 
passed  through  and  beyond  our  picket  lines  and  entered  the 
lower  part  of  Harper's  Ferry,  where  our  horses  were  fastened 
and  the  house  of  a  lady  known  to  us,  by  reputation  at  least, 
entered.     Here  two  men  w<ere  found,   who    said    they  had 
crossed  the  Potomac  that  night  with  a  considerable  lot  of 
goods,  which  they  wished  to  take  into  the  Confederate  lines. 
We  w^ere  requested  by  these  men  and  instructed  by  our  Col 
onel  to  treat  them  roughly,  so  as  to  impress  the  people  of 
Harper's  Ferry  with  the  idea  that  they  were  our  unwilling 
captives.     Accordingly  some  of  the  boys,  versed  in  the  art 
of  swearing,  lavished  on  them  a  few  of  their  choicest  oaths, 
while  Henry  Beali,  remarking  to  me  that  he  believed  they 
were  real,  veritable  Yankees,  walked  up  to  one  of  them  and 
landed  his  foot  rather  severely  in  his  rear.     The  fellow,  as  he 
rubbed  the  spot  to  ease  the  pain,  looked  as  if  he  thought  that 
felt  too  genuine  for  a  sham  and  partook  more  of  the  vicious- 
ness  of  the  mule  than  the  gentleness  of  the  lady.     The  goods 
w^ere  gathered  together  and  placed  in  Old  Man  Nat.  Allison's 
wagon,  which  was  impressed  for  the  purpose,  and  with  the 
two  men  as  prisoners,  we  passed  within  our  lines  and  halted 
near  our  reserve,  where  Company  B's  contingent  received  a 
handsome  donation  for  its  services,  my  portion  being  a  pair 
of  cavalry  boots,  a  pair  of  gauntlets,  a  couple  of  overshirts, 
and  some  handkerchiefs — quite  a  handsome  outfit   for  the 
times. 


Jno.  Shannon  Gallaher. 


154  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Here  the  Colonel  and  the  Captain  took  charge  of  the  men 
and  wagon  and  moved  off  in  the  directfon  of  Charlestown. 
The  next  day  I  was  informed  that  these  men  had  been  arrested 
by  order  of  General  Lee  as  spies  and  their  goods  confiscated. 
General  Lee's  army  was  then  encamped  near  Bunker  Hill.  I 
also  learned  that  the  General  was  seeking  information  as  to 
how  the  men  and  goods  got  through  his  lines,  and  we  were 
requested  by  our  Colonel  to  keep  quiet  on  the  subject,  which 
we  did.  Whether  or  not  these  men  were  spies,  I  know  not, 
but  I  do  know  they  did  not  make  much  profit  on  those  goods. 
I  always  felt  that  our  conduct  in  this  matter  was  questionable, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  was  authorized  and  sanctioned 
by  a  superior  officer.  Our  portion  of  the  goods,  however, 
served  a  good  purpose  and  supplied  our  particular  needs. 

The  Federal  army  having  crossed  the  Potomac  below  Har 
per's  Ferry,  moved  in  the  direction  of  Culpeper.  Our  army 
hastened  to  confront  it,  and  our  brigade,  after  several  unim 
portant  skirmishes,  took  up  position  near  Culpeper  Court 
house,  in  the  nighborhood  of  Brandy  Station,  where  it  re 
mained  quiet  until  September  ijth,  when  the  enemy  advanced, 
drove  it  through  Culpeper  and  across  the  Rapidan,  capturing 
three  pieces  of  Thomson's  battery,  which,  through  inadvert 
ence  or  negligence,  had  been  left  without  support  in  an  ex 
posed  position.  In  this  engagement  our  brigade,  commanded 
by  General  Lomax,  was  opposed  by  the  divisions  of  Buford 
and  Kilpatrick,  and  received  no  assistance  until  south  of  Cul 
peper,  where  it  was  joined  by  the  brigade  of  W.  H.  F.  Lee. 
While  stationed  at  Culpeper,  General  Jones  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  Valley  Department,  and  took  leave  of  the 
brigade  he  had  so  successfully  commanded  for  more  than  a 
year  past,  much  to  the  regret  of  its  men,  who  had  formed  for 
him  an  ardent  attachment.  Colonel  Lomax  was  made  briga 
dier  and  assigned  to  the  command  in  his  stead,  much  to  the 
chagrin  of  the  Twelfth,  if  not  of  the  whole  brigade.  General 
Lomax  had  been  a  school-mate  of  General  Stuart  at  West 
Point,  and  owed  his  promotion  more  to  the  clanish  feeling 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  155 

existing  among  the  graduates  of  that  institution  than  to  any 
merit  as  a  leader  of  men,  and  to  the  fact  that  he  had  acted 
gallantly  in  some  Indian  tig'ht  with  Stuart  when  all  retreat 
was  cut  off.  He  ought  to  have  died  then !  West  Pointers 
were  rather  disposed  to  assume  that  they  knew  all  that  could 
be  learned  in  the  art  of  war,  and  that  a  soldier  from  civil  life 
was  a  mere  gawk  and  machine.  They  had  no  use  and  no 
kind  word  for  such  men  as  Forrest,  a  born  prince  among  men 
and  a  natural  genius  in  the  art  of  war.  Lomax  was  a  very 
strict  disciplinarian,  fully  imbued  with  the  idea  that  discipline 
was  the  alpha  and  the  omega  of  a  soldier's  qualification,  and 
that  individual  valor  and  courage  were  naught  in  the  conflict. 
Our  brigade,  composed  of  noble,  high-born  spirits,  accus 
tomed  to  the  lenient  authority  prevailing  among  the  volun 
teer  soldiery,  naturally  rebelled  at, the  adoption  of  the  austere 
rules  and  regulations  prescribed  by  Lomax.  The  result  of 
the  Culpeper  fight  was  not  unexpected  in  the  brigade,  and 
was  due  in  large  measure  to  the  unpopularity  of  its  leader. 
A  horse  may  be  led  to  the  trough,  but  kindness  and  gentle 
ness  will  make  him  drink  much  sooner  than  force. 

One  morning,  just  prior  to  the  Culpeper  fight,  I  was  sur 
prised  at  the  number  of  absentees  from  roll-call  in  Company 
B,  and  on  inquiry  of  the  Orderly  Sergeant,  was  informed  that 
a  dozen  or  more  of  the  company  had  gone  to  Jefferson,  on 
what  soldiers  termed  a  flank.  As  required  by  orders,  the  fact 
was  reported  by  me  to  regimental  headquarters;  the  Colonel 
reported  it  to  brigade  headquarters,  and  in  a  few  moments 
thereafter  I  received  orders  to  report  in  person  to  General 
Lomax.  I  found  the  General  in  a  surly  mood,  inquiring-  about 
the  absentees,  and  he  called  them  deserters.  I  frankly  dis 
closed  the  fact  that  the  boys  had  gone  home,  some  to  get  fresh 
horses,  others  to  g.et  winter  clothes,  and  said  I  was  assured 
they  would  be  back  in  a  few  days.  The  General  then  said  : 
"  Do  you  think  they  will  ever  come  back?  "  to  which  I  in 
dignantly  answered,  "  I  know  they  will  come  back;  they  are 
gentlemen."  "  Well,"  said  the  doughty  General,  "  I  will  have 


156  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

some  of  these  genti'emen  shot."  I  then  mounted  and  returned 
to  camp,  consoling  myself  with  the  thoflght  that  if  any  of 
those  gentlemen  were  shot,  a  general  not  so  much  of  a  gen 
tleman  would  be  shot  also. 

The  absentees  returned  in  a  few  days,  bringing  with  them 
as  a  peace  offering  several  prisoners,  whom  they  had  captured 
in  Jefferson,  and,  most  fortunately  for  them,  the  bloody-shirt 
disciplinarian  had  the  day  before  their  return,  been  removed 
from  our  brigade.  Colonel  Funsten,  a  gentleman  by  birth  and 
education  and  a  soldier  from  patriotism  and  not  by  profes 
sion,  was  in  command,  and  the  boys  escaped  all  punishment. 
But  for  this  change  in  commanders,  Washington  would  have 
lost  an  eminent  physician,  Atlanta  a  prominent  lawyer,  Cali 
fornia  a  representative  in  Congress,  the  revenue-tariff  bill  its 
author,  Cleveland  his  Postmaster-General,  Washington  and 
Lee  University  its  president,  and  the  government  itself  an 
office-holder,  who  assumed  office  as  a  spoilsman,  and  now 
retains  it  as  a  civil-service  reformer. 

On  the  2  ist  I  was  directed  by  General  Stuart  to  take  20 
men,  get  in  rear  of  a  column  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  passing 
in  the  direction  of  Madison  Courthouse  and  ascertain  its 
numbers  and  composition.  During  my  absence  on  this  scout, 
Buford  and  Kilpatrick's  divisions  having  reached  Madison 
Courthouse,  separated,  Buford  moving  down  the  Gordonsville 
turnpike,  while  Kilpatrick  moved  down  the  Orange  Court 
house  road,  with  orders  to  meet  Buford  at  or  near  Jack's  Shop 
and  Burtonsville.  Stuart  moved  back  and  attacked  Buford  near 
Jack's  Shop,  and  while  engaged  in  a  severe  contest  with  him, 
learned  that  Kilpatrick  was  in  his  rear,  cutting  him  off  from 
the  ford  at  Liberty  Mills.  He  immediately  disposed  his  forces 
to  meet  this  new  danger,  and  the  battle  was  soon  limited  to  a 
narrow  space  between  these  two  forces  of  the  enemy.  Our 
artillery,  from  the  same  position,  was  firing  in  both  directions, 
and  the  enemy's  bullets  were  passing  both  ways  over  our  lines. 
At  this  juncture,  the  Twelfth  regiment  was  directed  to 
charge  the  enemy  in  the  rear.  This  order  was  gallantly  exe- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  157 

cured,  and  Kilpatrick's  men  were  driven  from  the  road  and 
the  ford,  and  Stuart,  retiring  from  Buford's  front,  passed  his 
artillery  and  men  safely  over  the  river,  and  the  fight  was 
ended. 

In  this  engagement  Tad  Baney,  a  brave  soldier  of  Company 
B,  was  killed,  and  B.  C.  Washington  engaged  in  hand-to-harid 
saber  contest  with  Major  Mclrwin,  of  the  Second  New  York 
Cavalry.  Washington  being  left-handed,  held  his  saber  in 
his  left  hand,  while  the  Major,  a  West  Pointer,  versed  in  mili 
tary  art,  held  his  in  the  right.  Washington  made  the  first 
pass,  and  the  skillful  Major  attempted  to  parry  his  blow,  but 
his  saber  being  constructed  to  guard  against  a  right-hand 
antagonist,  Washington's  saber  struck  the  Major's,  passed 
down  the  blade,  and  there  being  no  guard  on  that  side,  the 
blow  fell  on  the  Major's  hand,  causing  him  to  drop  his 
weapon,  and  Washington,  taking  advantage  of  the  situation, 
forced  his  surrender.  In  speaking  of  this  contest,  while  a 
prisoner,  the  Major  said  he  had  never  been  taught  to  fight 
with  a  left-handed  man.  When  Washington  brought  the 
Major  to  General  Stuart,  he  recognized  him,  and  said,  "  Hello, 
Mclrwin,  what  are  you  doing  here?  I  paroled  you  in  Penn 
sylvania.  "  "  Yes,"  said  the  Major,  "  but  our  people  would 
not  recognize  your  parole  and  ordered  me  to  duty."  The 
Major's  horse  and  trappings  were  given  to  Washington,  and 
the  Major  sent  to  the  rear.  For  gallant  conduct  on  this  and 
other  occasions,  Washington  was  made  second  lieutenant  in 
Company  B. 

General  Davis,  in  his  report  of  this  engagement,  speaking 
of  the  Second  New  York,  says :  "  Their  loss  was,  however, 
very  heavy,  and  we  have  to  mourn  over  many  gallant  officers 
and  brave  men  who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Major 
Mclrwin,  Captain  Hasty,  Lieutenants  Jones  and  Temple,  with 
69  brave  men,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy." 

While  these  scenes  were  being  enacted,  I  had  returned  to 
our  deserted  camp,  with  the  information  for  which  I  was  sent, 
but  found  no  one  to  receive  it. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Having  ascertained  that  Stuart  had  fallen  back,  and  that 
the  enemy  was  between  us  and  our  forces,  I  moved  my  little 
posse,  much  increased  by  some  30  men  of  Cobb's  Legion,  cut 
off  by  the  enemy  during  the  fight,  to  a  thick  wood  near  the 
road,  and  waited  for  night  and  further  information.  Just 
after  dusk,  hearing  cavalry  and  artillery  passing  along  the 
road,  leaving  my  horse,  I  noiselessly  approached  the  road, 
and,  lying  down  in  a  fence-corner,  heard  the  battle  of  the  day 
discusssed,  and  learned  that  the  Yankees  were  retiring  in  the 
direction  of  Culpeper.  This  column  seemed  interminable, 
and  fearing  daylight  would  discover  our  whereabouts,  I  re 
turned  to  the  men,  and,  mounting,  started  westward,  guided 
in  my  course  by  the  stars.  We  had  not  travelled  more  than 
five  miles  when,  hearing  cavalry  passing  a  short  distance 
south  of  us,  I  sent  Will  Thomson  to  a  house  near  by  to  learn 
the  situation,  while  we  halted  to  await  his  return. 

Thomson  rode  up  to  the  house,  which  was  in  view  bv  star 
light,  and  tapped  on  the  window.  Just  then  I  heard  some 
one  from  the  Yankee  column,  not  over  200  yards  distant, 
gallop  up  to  the  house,  and,  nearing  Thomson,  inquired  in  a 
loud  voice,  "What  are  you  doing  there?  Get  back  into 
ranks."  Without  replying,  Thomson  turned  his  horse  and 
struck  back  in  our  direction  in  a  full  run,  the  Yankee  follow 
ing:  him.  Instead  of  stopping:  with  us,  Thomson  kept  up  his 
retreat  to  a  wood  a  short  distance  beyond,  but  the  Yankee 
drew  up,  when  he  saw  us,  and  asked  to  what  command  we 
belonged.  I  replied,  "  Second  New  York,"  and,  he  being 
apparently  satisfied,  rode  back  and  joined  his  column.  From 
his  straps,  I  knew  he  was  an  officer,  but  couldn't  see  clearly 
enough  to  tell  his  rank.  I  would  have  taken  him  prisoner, 
but  feared  the  firing  of  a  shot  would  have  alarmed  the  column 
and  have  resulted  in  the  capture  of  our  party. 

Diverging  a  little  northwest,  we  now  continued  our -way, 
and  at  daybreak  reached  Wolfetown,  where,  turning  our 
course  southeastward,  we  soon  joined  General  Stuart,  who 
congratulated  us  on  our  safe  exit.  After  this  engagement  our 


Jno.  S.  Grantham. 


i6o  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

brigade  went  into  camp  near  the  Rapiclan    and    enjoyed  a 
couple  of  weeks  of  quiet  and  repose.          • 

Like  Uncle  Toby,  in  "  Tristam  Shandy,"  I  find  myself  often 
indulging  in  digressions,  and  only  hope  mine  may  be  as 
agreeable  and  entertaining  as  those  of  my  ancient  relative. 
While  Company  B  was  at  Camp  Twyman,  on  the  Rapidan, 
discipline  was  somewhat  lax,  and  the  boys  enjoyed  various 
diversions,  spending  much  of  their  time  in  foraging  the  com 
munity  for  eatables,  drinkables,  and  social  enjoyment.  I  have 
mentioned  that  the  members  of  Company  B  were  young,  and 
should  have  added,  great  admirers  of  the  fair  sex.  There 
were  only  two  books  in  the  company,  the  New  Testament 
and  Charles  O'Malley,  and  I  must  reluctantly  record  that 
the  men  followed  oftener  the  precepts  of  the  Irish  Dragoon 
than  those  of  the  Divine  Master.  The  Testament  was  usually 
read  on  the  battle-field  and  O'Malley  in  camp.  There  was 
Bob,  who,  while  possessing  an  eye  for  beauty,  had  also  a 
penchant  for  the  good  things  of  the  stomach.  In  fact,  he 
used  the  former  as  a  means  to  the  gratification  of  the  latter. 
One  day  as  he  was  foraging  around,  he  discovered  a  goodly 
habitation,  tenanted  by  a  widow  lady  and  her  daughter,  and 
it  was  not  long  before  he  had  ingratiated  himself  into  their 
favor,  and  was  faring  sumptuously  for  the  times,  while  other 
members  of  Company  B  who  wandered  that  way  were  treated 
pretty  much  as  tramps  are  nowadays.  Bob's  popularity  at 
this  homestead  was  much  discussed  among  the  boys,  and  a 
plan  set  on  foot  to  supplant  him.  Tom  and  Billy  were 
selected  for  the  undertaking.  Tom  was  a  born  diplomat,  and 
Billy  possessed  acres  of  the  suaviter  in  modo.  They  appeared 
at  the  widow's  mansion  one  morning,  about  an  hour  before 
dinner,  and  entreated  the  ladies  for  something  to  eat,  inci 
dentally  (but  on  purpose)  mentioning  Bob  in  the  presence 
of  the  mother  and  daughter.  There  was  magic  in  the  name. 
The  old  lady  instantly  inquired  if  they  knew  Bob,  speaking 
of  him  by  his  surname.  "  Oh,  yes,"  answered  Tom,  "  we  live 
near  by  him  in  Jefferson,  and  are  well  acquainted  with  him 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  161 

and  his  wife  and  children  also."  The  leaven  worked  finely 
and  rapidly.  "  What,"  said  the  old  lady,  almost  bursting  with 
suppressed  wrath,  while  the  young  lady  blushed  crimson,  "  is 
he  a  married  man?"  Tom  begged  pardon  for  having  said 
anything  amiss,  and  said  Bob  was  a  friend,  and  he  would 
prefer  to  say  nothing  more  on  the  subject.  His  silence  raised 
the  ladies'  curiosity  to  the  highest  pitch,  and  to  get  an  oppor 
tunity  to  press  for  further  information  the  ladies  insisted  that 
Tom  and  his  companion  should  dine  with  them.  .The  invita 
tion  was  reluctantly  accepted,  and  a  great  many  more  perti 
nent  questions  were  asked,  but  no  further  information 
secured.  After  partaking  of  a  good,  square  meal,  which  no 
one  was  capable  of  enjoying  more  than  Tom,  he  and  Billy 
returned  to  camp  and  were  silent.  The  day  following,  Bob 
rode  out  to  this  home,  full  of  the  assurance  of  a  jovous  recep 
tion  and  entertainment,  fed  his  horse,  and  was  about  entering 
the  house,  when  two  irate  ladies  attacked  him  furiously  with 
broomsticks,  and  would  neither  give  nor  hear  an  explanation. 
Poor  Bob  retired  discomfited,  and  was  totally  ignorant  of 
what  hurt  him,  until  some  time  after  the  brigade  left  that 
neighborhood  and  we  were  far  away. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Cannon   to   right   of   them, 
Cannon  to  left  of  them, 
Cannon  in  front  of  them 

Volleyed  and  thundered; 
Stormed  at  with  shot  and  shell, 
Boldly  they  rode  and  well. 

Tennyson. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  1863,  our  army  prepared  to  move 
forward,  and  the  Bristow  campaign  was  begun.  Our  brigade 
was  still  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Ftinsten,  of  the 
Eleventh  Cavalry.  That  day  I  received  orders  from  General 
Stuart. to  cross  the  Rapidan  at  night  with  a  detail  from  Com 
pany  B,  and  endeavor  to  capture  the  enemy's  signal  corps  on 
Stonehouse  Mountain,  as  it  overlooked  and  reported  our 
movements. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  selecting  twenty  men  for  the  expe 
dition,  leaving  in  camp  our  horses  and  all  arms  except  our 
pistols,  we  proceeded  to  the  river,  took  off  our  clothing,  and, 
bundling  it  and  our  pistols  on  our  shoulders,  waded  the 
stream,  and  passed  up  the  opposite  bank  between  two  Federal 
picket  posts.  Having  safely  and  noiselessly  gained  the  rear 
of  the  enemy's  picket  line,  we  put  on  our  clothes  and  started 
in  the  direction  of  the  signal  station,  which  was  easily  recog 
nized  from  its  elevated  fires.  Satisfied  that  success  could  be 
attained  only  by  silence  and  by  avoiding  alarm  until  the 
station  was  reached,  we  moved  along  stealthily  and  cautiously, 
avoiding  any  conflict.  Having  gone  somewhat  more  than  a 
mile,  we  were  startled  by  the  near  approach  in  our  front  of  a 
body  of  cavalry.  Making  a  hasty  run  into  the  fence-corners, 
we  laid  down,  and  trusted  the  enemy  would  pass  us  by.  But 
the  cavalry,  reaching  a  point  just  opposite,  with  only  a  rail 
fence  between  us,  halted  as  if  listening.  It  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  the  men  were  restrained  from  firing  into  them. 

[162] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  163 

After  standing  about  ten  minutes  in  this  position,  the  Yan 
kees  moved  forward  in  the  direction  of  their  picket  line,  and 
soon  after,  galloping  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  their  camp, 
which  could  easily  be  traced  by  the  camp-fires,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  bugles  sounding  "  boots  and  saddles."  Satisfied  now 
that  our  squad  had  been  discovered  and  the  capture  impossi 
ble,  we  returned  to  our  camp  somewhat  the  worse  from  briar 
scratches  received  in  passing  through  the  picket  lines  in  nude 
condition. 

1  On  the  morning  of  the  roth,  with  Company  B,  we  crossed 
the  Rapidan  and  hastened  to  join  our  command,  which  had 
g-one  forward  the  evening  before  with  General  Stuart,  and 
was  moving"  in  the  direction  of  Culpeper  Courthouse.  We 
overtook  the  brigade  near  a  small  place  called  Griffinsburg. 
Company  B  no\v  took  the  advance  and  acted  as  a  body-guard 
for  General  Stuart.  On  nearing  Culpeper  a  regiment  of 
Federal  infantry  was  seen  hastening  in  that  direction  and 
seemingly  separated  from  any  support.  As  soon  as  General 
Stuart  saw  it,  no  other  force  being  at  hand,  he  ordered  me  to 
charge  it.  It  appeared  a  rash  and  dangerous  undertaking, 
but  with  an  order  that  could  not  be  questioned  and  a  com 
pany  that  never  refused  to  respond,  we  were  soon  dashing 
toward  them.  The  enemy  seeing  our  charge,  soon  gallantly 
faced  towards  us,  and  when  we  were  about  one  hundred  yards 
off,  poured  a  volley  into  us.  But  as  they  occupied  a  small 
eminence,  and  we  were  in  a  depression,  their  balls  passed 
harmlessly  over  our  heads.  Finding  that  our  charge  had  not 
been  checked,  and  not  having  time  to  reload,  they  threw  off 
their  knapsacks  and  fled.  Fortunately  for  them,  there  was 
an  impassable  ditch,  which  delayed  our  progress,  and  per 
mitted  most  of  them  to  escape. 

General  Stuart,  in  his  official  report,  says: 

f   '   ' 

"  In  our  rapid  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  we  found  that  we 
had  passed  an  infantry  regiment  of  the  enemy,  which  had 
been  on  the  outpost  and  was  now  marching  parallel  to  on1- 


164  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

column  on  our  right  in  the  direction  of  Culpeper  Courthouse. 
Every  effort  was  made  to  close  up  the  column  thus  elongated 
by  pursuit,  so  as  to  catch  this  regiment,  but  apprehending 
that  it  would  escape,  the  only  cavalry  I  could  lay  my  hands 
on  was  ordered  to  charge  the  regiment  as  it  debouched  into 
the  open  ground.  This  was  gallantly  responded  to  by  a  com 
pany  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  under  Lieutenant  Baylor,  and 
but  for  an  impassable  ditch  these  brave  men  would  have  rid 
den  over  the  enemy  and  cut  them  down  with  the  saber.  They 
charged  within  20  or  30  yards  of  the  column  and  fired  a  volley 
into  it,  but  were  forced,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  to 
retire,  which  was  done  without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  horse, 
although  the  enemy's  fire  was  delivered  almost  in  their  faces. 
The  enemy  did  not  further  contest  the  field.  They  broke  and 
ran,  dropping  guns,  knapsacks,  and  blankets,  several  of  their 
number  being  captured." 

Colonel  John  Esten  Cooke,  then  aide  to  General  Stuart, 
and  an  eye-witness  of  this  charge,  says: 

"  Never  had  I  seen  him  (Stuart)  more  excited.  He  was 
plainly  on  fire  with  the  idea  of  capturing  the  whole  party. 
The  staff  scattered  to  summon  the  cavalry,  and  soon  a  com 
pany  came  at  full  gallop.  It  was  the  '  Jefferson  Company,' 
under  that  brave  officer,  Captain  George  Baylor.  '  Charge 
and  cut  them  down,'  shouted  Stuart,  his  drawn  sword  flashing 
as  he  forced  his  horse  over  fallen  trees  and  the  debris  of  a 
great  deserted  camp.  A  fine  spectacle  followed.  As  the 
Federal  infantry  double-quicked  up  a  slope,  Baylor  charged. 
As  his  men  darted  upon  them,  they  sudednly  halted,  came  to 
a  front  face,  and  the  long  line  of  gun-barrels  fell,  as  though 
they  were  parts  of  some  glittering  war  machine.  The  muzzles 
spouted  flame,  and  the  cavalry  received  the  fire  at  thirty 
yards.  It  seemed  to  check  them,  but  it  did  not.  They  had 
come  to  an  impassable  ditch.  In  another  moment  the  infan 
try  broke,  every  man  for  himself,  and,  making  a  detour,  the 
cavalry  pursued  and  captured  large  numbers." 


C.  E.  Henderson. 


1 66  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Colonel  B.  F.  Smith,  commanding  the  Third  brig-ade  of 
the  Third  Army  Corps,  in  his  report  of  this  affair,  says: 

"  On  the  morning  Of  the  nth,  after  the  departure  of  the 
corps  from  the  camp  near  Culpeper,  the  pickets  from  the 
brigade  were  attacked  by  the  enemy;  this  while  endeavor 
ing-  to  join  the  command.  The  detail  from  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixth  New  York  Volunteers  (432  strong-,  under  charge 
of  Major  A.  N.  McDonald,  commanding-  regiment)  repulsed 
the  attack,  but  with  the  loss  of  Captain  James  L.  Peach  and 
two  enlisted  men  killed,  seven  enlisted  men  wounded,  and  18 
enlisted  men  captured.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  unknown; 
several  saddles  were  emptied." 

But  Major  McDonald,  in  his  official  report,  differs  some 
what  from  Colonel  Smith  in  his  account  of  the  loss.  He  says :' 

"  My  casualties  are  as  follows:  Killed,  three;  wounded,  10; 
missing,  25.  The  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  is  at 
least  three  times  our  entire  loss." 

This  shows  how  badly  the  Major  was  frightened,  for  Com 
pany  B  lost  neither  man  nor  horse,  and  did  not  number  over 
50  men. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  nth  we  reached  the  Barbour 
house,  overlooking  Brandy  Station,  and  found  Kilpatrick's 
division  of  cavalry  mqving  back  from  Culpeper  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  station.  It  was  a  magnificent  spectacle.  Our 
artillery  was  not  in  reach,  and  few  of  our  cavalry  up.  But 
General  Stuart,  being  apprised  that  Fitz  Lee  had  arrived  on 
the  opposite  flank  of  the  enemy  at  Brandy  Station,  ordered 
the  Twelfth,  under  Colonel  Massie,  to  charge  the  column  and 
cut  off  Kilpatrick's  retreat.  Company  B  was  in, front  of  the 
regiment,  and  down  the  slope  it  went  and  reached  a  point 
near  the  station,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had 
enveloped  us,  and  it  became  a  race  on  our  part  to  escape  cap 
ture.  We  were  so  intermingled  with  the  enemy  that  they 
could  not  use  their  guns  and  pistols  without  endangering 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  167 

their  own  men.  Lieutenant  Washington  and  myself  were 
near  together  on  the  retreat,  and,  jumping  a  ditch,  his  horse 
fell  and  pinioned  him  to  the  ground.  As  my  horse  cleared 
the  ditch  safely,  he  called  for  help,  but  with  visions  of  Forts 
McHenry  and  Delaware  before  me  and  a  host  of  pursuers 
behind,  I  was  constrained  to  leave  him  to  his  fate.  I  escaped, 
but  he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  did  not  remain  long  in  the 
enemy's  hands,  as  he  appeared  next  morning  in  camp,  minus 
horse  and  arms,  having  made  a  miraculous  escape  during  the 
night.  Our  force  being  too  weak  to  impede  Kilpatrick's 
retreat,  he  escaped  safely  over  the  Rappahannock. 
General  Stuart,  in  his  report,  says : 

"The  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Massie 
commanding,  was  at  the  head  of  the  column,  and,  being 
ordered  to  charge,  did  so  in  the  most  gallant  manner,  cutting 
off  about  1,200  or  1,500  of  the  enemy,  all  of  whom  w^ould 
have  been  killed  or  captured  had  not  the  headlong  rapidity 
of  the  pursuit,  added  to  the  difficult  character  of  the  ground, 
so  greatly  extended  the  column  as  to  impair  for  the  moment 
its  efficiency  of  action.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners  was  considerable,  the  two  regiments 
of  Colonel  Funsteirs  command  alone  having  taken  200." 

General  Kilpatrick,  in  his  report,  says : 

"  Many  gallant  charges  were  now  made  by  the  division,  and 
many  equally  gallant  charges  by  the  enemy  repulsed.  The 
division  fell  slowly  back,  one  brigade  after  another,  in  good 
order,  and  finally  crossed  the  Rappahannock  and  went  into 
camp  about  8  P.  M." 

On  the  morning  of  the  I2th,  our  regiment  was  sent  to  the 
right  of  Jeffersonton,  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton  Springs. 
Reaching  the  road  in  the  rear  of  Jeffersonton,  Company  B 
being  in  advance,  we  discovered  a  regiment  of  the  enemy's 
led  horses  standing  on  the  road  leading  to  Jeffersonton,  the 
men  having  gone  forward  and  left  them  in  charge  of  one 
man  to  each  file  of  fours.  A  charge  was  ordered,  meeting 


168  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run, 

with  little  or  no  resistance,  and  the  rest  of  our  regiment 
coming  up,  a  large  number  of  prisoners  anfl  horses  were  cap 
tured,  and  the  Seventh  regiment  pressing  the  enemy  in  front 
at  Jeffersonton,  they  were  soon  routed  and  scattered  in  every 
direction.  General  Gregg,  in  his  report,  says : 

"  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  in  the  gallant  and  obstinate 
resistance  made  by  the  Fourth  and  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania 
regiments  they  had  to  fight  almost  entirely  on  foot,"  but  he 
does  not  sav  that  it  was  because  we  had  captured  their  horses. 

In  this  engagement  on  our  side  was  the  Seventh  and 
Twelfth  Virginia  regiments,  and  on  the  Federal  side  the 
Fourth  and  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  and  the  Tenth  New 
York  regiments. 

General  Gregg,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

'  They  charged  impetuously  in  front  and  on  both  flanks 
with  infantry  and  cavalry,  and  we  were  driven  into  the  woods, 
where  for  half  an  hour  the  fight  raged  furiously.  At  this 
juncture  information  was  brought  that  the  enemy  had  pos 
session  of  the  road  in  my  rear,  and  that  we  were  surrounded. 
This  information,  having  found  its  way  to  the  men,  created 
some  confusion,  and  it  became  impossible  to  re-form  the  com 
mand,  and  I  was  compelled  to  retire  in  some  confusion,  fight 
ing,  however,  every  foot  of  the  ground.  It  was  here  that 
Major  Young,  Fourth  P/ennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  Lieutenants 
Cutler  and  Martin  of  my  staff,  were  wounded." 

Pressing  on  to  the  river  at  Warrenton  Springs,  we  found 
the  enemy  had  posted  his  artillery  on  an  eminence  beyond 
the  stream  and  placed  their  dismounted  men  in  rifle-pits  near 
the  banks  of  the  river  to  contest  our  advance.  Dismounted 
men  were  thrown  forward  on  our  side,  supported  by  a  small 
force  of  our  infantry  who  had  arrived  on  the  scene.  The 
horse  artillery  not  having  come  up.  General  Long,  of  Ewell's 
Corps,  opened  fire  with  eight  guns  on  the  enemy's  batteries 
and  supporting  squadrons.  At  this  juncture,  General  Stuart 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  169 

ordered  me  to  charge  with  Company  B  across  the  river  and 
drive  the  enemy  from  their  rifle-pits. 

I  had  been  for  some  time  a  spectator  of  the  futile  efforts  of 
the  infantry  and  dismounted  men  to  effect  a  crossing,  and  to 
accomplish  this  with  a  cavalry  dash  struck  me  as  imprac 
ticable.  But  a  soldier's  duty  is  to  obey,  do  or  die.  Assured 
that  a  bold  front  was  half  the  battle,  four  brave  men  were 
placed  in  rear  of  the  company,  with  orders  to  shoot  down  the 
first  man  that  fell  back.  Hearing  the  order,  a  member  of  the 
company  plaintively  remarked,  "  Well,  boys,  between  death 
before  and  death  behind,  I  will  take  death  in  front." 

Generals  Robert  E.  Lee,  Ewell,  Stuart,  and  others  were  in 
full  view,  watching  the  movement.  It  was  the  occasion  of  our 
lives.  The  order  was  given,  and  down  the  road  the  company 
dashed  amid  a  shower  of  bullets,  and  reached  the  bridge  over 
the  river,  to  find  the  flooring  torn  up.  Here  we  were  forced 
to  halt,  face  about  and  strike  for  a  ford  below.  This  move 
ment  was  effected  without  faltering,  and  soon  the  river  was 
crossed  and  the  rifle-pits,  with  a  large  number  of  prisoners, 
in  our  possession.  The  rest  of  our  regiment  now  coming  to 
our  aid,  the  prisoners  were  secured  and  turned  over  to  the 
infantry.  As  we  passed  up  out  of  the  river  and  our  horses 
leaped  over  the  rifle-pits,  our  infantry  on  the  opposite  banks 
greeted  us  with  loud  cheers.  This  was  the  first  and  only 
occasion  during  the  war,  that  I  know  or  have  heard  of,  where 
the  infantry  showed  such  appreciation  of  the  cavalry. 

Among  the  prisoners  taken  was  Captain  Harry  Gregg,  a 
class-mate  and  friend  of  mine  at  Dickinson  College.  I  had 
only  time  to  greet  him,  when  I  was  hurried  forward  and  he 
taken  to  the  rear.  So  I  saw  him  no  more. 

General  Stuart,  in  his  report  of  this  engagement,  says : 

"  This  little  band  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry  was 
worthy  of  special  praise,  as  it  was  made  under  circumstances 
of  great  embarrassment.  Charging  first  up  to  the  pier  of  the 
bridge,  it  was  discovered  that  it  had  been  taken  up,  thus 


i/o  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

exposing  them  to  a  dangerous  fire  from  the  enemy  on  the 
opposite  side.  Nothing  daunted  in  purpose,  however,  they 
turned  about  and  took  the  road  to  the  ford  below,  which  they 
plunged  into  in  the  face  of  the  enemy's  fire  without  halt  or 
hesitation." 

Major-General  McClellan,  in  his  "  Life  of  Stuart,"  says : 

"  Now  the  Twelfth  Virginia  was  ordered  to  charge  the 
bridge.  Lieutenant  Baylor's  company  still  had  the  front. 
Darkness  was  settling  down  upon  the  field.  Along  a  narrow 
causeway,  Baylor  led  his  men  in  column  of  fours.  In  the 
face  of  a  sharp  fire  from  the  rifle-pits  he  reached  the  very 
abutment  of  the  bridge  before  he  discovered  that  the  planks 
had  been  removed  and  that  a  crossing  was  impossible.  He 
must  retrace  his  steps  and  try  the  ford.  There  was  no  trepi 
dation,  no  confusion.  '  By  fours,  right-about  wheel.  For 
ward  ! '  and  in  a  moment  he  had  descended  from  the  cause 
way,  and  his  column  was  plunging  through  the  narrow  ford, 
where  hardly  four  could  ride  abreast.  It  was  a  gallant  sight, 
and  called  forth  wild  huzzas  from  the  Confederate  infantry, 
many  of  whom  were  spectators  of  the  scene.  Up  the  hill  went 
Baylor,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  rifle-pits  were  cleared  of  the 
enemy  and  the  approaches  to  the  bridge  were  under  our  com- 
trol." 

General  Gregg,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

"After  the  recrossing  of  all  regiments  to  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  I  lined  its  banks  above  and  below  the  bridge  with  sharp 
shooters.  The  enemy  advanced  with  a  long  and  strong  line  of 
skirmishers,  but  were  checked  by  the  fire  of  our  carbines  and 
one  gun  placed  near  the  river,  which,  at  that  range,  gave  them 
rapid  discharges  of  spherical  case.  At  this  time  I  saw  long 
columns  of  infantry  marching  northward,  on  the  opposite 
bank.  Upon  these  columns  the  fire  of  my  artillery  was 
directed.  The  enemy  now  opened  upon  my  position  with  20 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  under  this  fire,  his  cavalry  advanced  to 
and  forced  a  crossing  at  the  bridge.  Total  loss  of  the  division 


John  Howell. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

at  Sulphur  Springs  and  on  the  I4th  is  as  follows:  Officers, 
three  killed,  13  wounded,  and  six  missing;  Unlisted  men,  14 
killed,  101  wounded,  and  426  missing.  Of  those  reported 
missing  at  Sulphur  Springs,  very  many  were  killed  and 
wounded." 

After  getting  a  firm  foothold  on  the  northern  bank  of  the 
Rappahannock,  the  Twelfth  Cavalry,  under  Colonel  Funsten, 
was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Warrenton,  and  on  its  way  there 
captured  50  prisoners,  who,  through  mistake,  rode  into  our 
column.     We  bivouacked  that  night  in  the  suburbs  of  War 
renton,  and  next  morning  continued  our  advance    through 
Auburn  in  the  direction  of  Catlett's  Station.   At  Auburn,  Lo- 
max's  brigade  joined  us,  and  General  Stuart  took  command. 
Leaving  Lomax  at  Auburn,  General  Stuart  advanced  toward 
Catlett's  Station  with  Funsten's  and  Gordon's  brigades.  Near- 
ing  Catlett's,  we  saw  large  wagon-trains  of  the  enemy  moving 
northward.   We  remained  here  until  dark,  when  word  reached 
us  that  the  enemy's  column  occupied  our  rear  at  Auburn. 
Stuart  quickly  moved  in  that  direction,  hoping  to  effect  his 
escape,  but  on  arrival  near  that  place,  discovered  that  he  was 
securely  trapped  between  two  columns  of  the  Federal  army. 
In  this  extremity,  Stuart  soon  determined  his  course.     He 
withdrew  his  two  brigades,  artillery,  and  wagons  to  the  north 
side  of  the  road  behind  the  hills,  and  thus  escaped  the  obser 
vation  of  the  two  wings  of  the  Federal  army.     Our  guns  were 
put  in  position  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  within  three  hundred 
yards  of  the    enemy's    line,  and    the    men,    huddled  in  close 
column,  obeyed  the  order  for  silence,  as  they  fully  realized 
the  peril  of  the  situation  and  the  proximity  of  the  enemy.   We 
remained  in  this  position  throughout  the  night,  every  soldier 
on  the  anxious  bench  and  in  momentary  -expectation  of  being 
discovered  by  the  enemy.     In  the  early  part  of  the  night, 
General  Stuart  directed  me  to  send  him,  dismounted,  two 
trustworthy  men    from    Company  B,  to  pass    through  the 
enemy's  column  and  apprise  General  Lee  of  our  situation, 
with  the  request  that  he  would  attack  the  enemy  and  afford  us 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  173 

an  opportunity  to  escape.  Crocket  Eddins  and  my  brother 
Richard  volunteered  to  go  on  the  mission.  Leaving  their 
horses  and  equipments  with  the  company,  they  bade  us  fare 
well,  and  reported  to  General  Stuart  and  were  given  instruc 
tions. 

Each  took  a  separate  course  and  safely  escaped  through 
the  Yankee  column.  There  were  several  others  sent  on  the 
same  mission,  and  all  met  at  General  Lee's  headquarters 
shortly  after  midnight. 

General  Stuart,  in  his  report,  says : 

'  The  six  privates  who  volunteered  to  pass  through 
the  enemy's  column  were  Robert  W.  Good,  First  Virginia 
Cavalry;  Ashton  Chichester,  and  Sharley,  McGregor's  Horse 
Artillery;  privates  Crocket  Eddins  and  Richard  Baylor,  Com 
pany  B,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry." 

General  Lee  immediately  ordered  a  part  of  General  Swell's 
corps  to  our  relief,  but,  unfortunately,  it  did  not  arrive  in  time 
to  give  us  any  material  aid. 

As  day  was  breaking,  General  Stuart  realized  something 
must  be  done.  In  the  field  adjacent  to  our  rendezvous,  a 
large  force  of  infantry  had  halted,  stacked  arms,  and  \vere 
building  camp-fires  and  preparing  for  breakfast.  Orders  \vere 
given  to  mount,  our  seven  guns  were  advanced  further  on  the 
brow  of  the  hill,  and  all  was  ready  for  action.  A  few  moments 
of  suspense  and  our  guns  were  raining  canister  upon  the 
enemy,  who,  surprised,  rushed  in  every  direction.  They  soon, 
however,  recovered  from  their  fright,  formed  line  of  battle 
and  began  to  move  on  our  position,  but,  unable  to  stand  the 
fire  of  our  guns,  gave  way  and  disappeared  behind  the  hills. 
At  this  juncture  a  line  of  the  enemy  was  seen  moving  up 
on  our  left  flank,  our  direction  of  escape,  and  it  became  neces 
sary  to  repel  this  advance.  Colonel  Ruffin,  with  the  First 
North  Carolina,  handsomely  led  his  men  on  a  charge  against 
this  column,  and  broke  the  first  line,  capturing  a  large  num 
ber  of  prisoners,  but  was  repulsed  by  a  fresh  column  in  rear 
of  the  first,  and  the  men  retired,  leaving  their  gallant  Colonel 


174  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

dead  on  the  field.  The  enemy's  advance  was,  however, 
checked,  and  Stuart,  taking  advantage  of  oyr  temporary  suc 
cess,  ordered  the  artillery  and  wagons  to  pass  in  rear  of  the 
enemy's  position,  sending  Companies  B  and  I,  under  my 
command,  on  the  road  to  Catlett's  Station  to  protect  his  left 
flank  and  repel  any  attack  from  that  quarter.  Moving  rapidly 
down  to  the  point  indicated,  the  squadron  was  formed  across 
the  road  at  the  edge  of  a  piece  of  woods,  and  the  men  directed 
to  hold  their  fire  until  the  enemy  approached  within  thirty 
yards.  We  had  not  long  to  wait  before  the  enemy's  cavalry 
appeared  in  our  front,  and,  moving  up  to  within  250  yards  of 
our  position,  called 'to  know  wrhat  command  we  were.  Having 
cautioned  the  men  to  remain  quiet,  no  answer  was  given. 
Receiving  no  response,  they  moved  cautiously  about,  grad 
ually  approaching  nearer  and  nearer.  After  being  detained 
by  us  for  some  time,  they  boldly  moved  a  squadron  forward, 
and  when  within  thirty  yards  the  order  to  fire  was  given, 
many  saddles  were  emptied,  and  their  squadron  broke  and 
fied  in  confusion. 

Feeling  assured  that  General  Stuart  had  now  effected  his 
escape,  and  that  a  longer  stay  would  likely  cause  our  capture, 
the  squadron  was  faced  about  and  moved  off  in  the  direction  cf 
Warrenton,  soon  reaching  General  Stuart's  command  drawn 
up  on  an  eminence  south  of  Cedar  river,  awaiting  our  return. 

As  we  rode  up,  the  General  congratulated  us.  In  his  offi 
cial  report,  General  Stuart  says : 

"  My  extrication  from  this  embarrassing  situation  with  the 
comparatively  small  loss  which  I  sustained  is  due,  under 
Providence,  to  the  gallant  officers  and  men  of  my  command, 
who,  upon  this  trying  occasion,  which  thoroughly  tested  their 
soldierly  character,  exhibited  nerve  and  coolness  which  en 
titles  them  to  the  highest  praise  from  their  commander." 

General  Warren,  commanding  the  Second  Army  Corps,  in 
his  official  report,  says : 

"  Undistinguishable  as  this  enemy  was  to  us  in  the  Valley 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Rim.  175 

in  the  mist  and  gray  morning  light,  his  view  of  our  camp- 
fires  on  the  hill  was  clear  and  defined  and  his  fire  told  with 
fatal  effect,  killing  n  and  wounding  about  12;  one  shell  killed 
seven  men." 

General  Owen,  in  his  report  of  his  brigade,  says: 

"  I  regret  to  say  my  loss  was  severe,  numbering  seven  killed 
and  17  wounded.  General  Birney  reports  in  his  command 
two  killed  and  35  wounded. " 

In  this  spirited  contest  against  such  tremendous  odds,  we 
lost  neither  a  gun  nor  a  wagon  and  brought  off  safely  150 
prisoners,  besides  killing  and  wounding  a  large  number.  On 
the  1 5th,  our  brigade  moved  forward  on  the  road  to  Manassas 
and  engaged  the  enemy  at  Yates  Ford,  on  Bull  Run,  driving 
him  from  his  position  and  bivouacking  that  night  near 
Manassas. 

On  the  1 6th,  with  Hampton's  Division  and  four  pieces  of 
artillery,  we  moved  towards  Groveton,  where  we  had  a  skirm 
ish  with  the  enemy,  drove  him  before  us,  crossed  Bull  Run, 
and  encamped  at  night  near  Stone  Castle.  Washington  was 
now  alarmed.  General  Meade  was  rapidly  retiring  before 
General  Lee,  and  yet  he  was  reporting  that  as  soon  as  he 
could  find  Lee  he  would  attack  him.  Matters  were  not  at  all 
satisfactory  to  President  Lincoln,  and  his  wonderful  horse- 
sense  soon  penetrated  M cade's  sham  and  pretence,  and  he 
writes  General  Halleck  one  of  his  pungent  letters : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION, 
Washington,  October  16,  1863. 
Major-General  HALLECK  : 

I  do  not  believe  Lee  can  have  over  60,000  effective  men. 
Longstreet's  Corps  would  not  be  sent  away  to  bring  an  equal 
force  back  on  the  same  road;  and  there  is  no  other  direction 
for  them  to  have  come  from. 

Doubtless  in  making  the  present  movement,  Lee  gathered 
in  all  the  available  scraps,  and  added  them  to  Hill's  and 
EwelFs  corps,  but  that  is  all,  and  he  made  the  movement  in 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

the  belief  that  four  corps  had  left  General  Meade;  and  Gen 
eral  Meade's  apparently  avoiding-  a  collision  with  him  has 
confirmed  him  in  the  belief.  If  General  Meade  can  now 
attack  on  a  field  no  more  than  equal  for  us  and  will  do  so  with 
all  the  skill  and  courage  which  he,  his  officers  and  men  pos 
sess,  the  honor  will  be  his,  if  he  succeeds,  and  the  blame  may 
be  mine,  if  he  fails. 

Yours  truly,  A.  LINCOLN. 

On  the  :8th,  Halleck  wires  Meade:  "  Lee  is  unquestionably 
bullying  you.  If  you  cannot  ascertain  his  movements,  I  cer 
tainly  cannot.  If  you  pursue  and  fight  him,  I  think  yon  will 
nnd  out  where  he  is.  I  know  of  no  other  way." 

On  the  1 8th,  Charlestown  was  attacked  and  taken  by  Gen 
eral  Imboden,  and  General  Kelley  at  Harper's  Ferry  became 
alarmed  at  his  situation,  and  wired  General  Halleck,  and 
Halleck  curtly  responded :  "  Should  the  whole  of  Lee's  army 
attack  Maryland  Heights,  the  place  must  be  held  until 
Meade's  army  comes  to  the  rescue.  It  can  be  so  held,  and  if 
the  officers  fail  to  do  so,  they  should  be  hung." 

This  undue  excitement  on  the  part  of  the  President  and  the 
generals  was  due,  no  doubt,  to  such  reports  as  the  following: 

MARTINSBURG,  W.  VA.,  October  22,  1863. 

Colonel  G.  H.  SHARP, 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac : 

Statement  of  William'  Arndoff,  a  native  of  Jefferson  county: 
"  I  was  informed  by  a  farmer  by  the  name  of  Joseph  Crane, 
who  lives  near  Charlestown,  Jefferson  county,  and  is  a  very 
reliable  man  and  a  strong  rebel,  and  thinks  I  am  the  same, 
that  he  would  be  very  much  disappointed  if  General  Lee  did 
not  cross  the  Potomac  at  the  Point  of  Rocks  within  ten  davs. 
This  man  Crane  says  he  never  had  been  disappointed  in  his 
opinion  in  reference  to  the  rebel  movements.  He  further 
stated  that  Imboden's  command  fell  back  to  Front  Roval, 
there  to  divide  their  forces  into  two  separate  commands.  One 
is  to  advance  by  the  way  of  Berryville  and  Charlestown;  the 
other,  to  keep  north  of  the  turnpike  and  surround  and  cap 
ture  the  forces  stationed  at  this  post.  He  also  said  that 


Julian  Hutchinson. 


12 


ij8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Lee  has  the  largest  and  finest  army  he  has  ever  had. 
He  further  stated  that  Jenkins  was  to  unife  his  forces  with 
Imboden." 

This  gentleman  (Arndoff)  has  been  heretofore  employed  as 
a  spy,  and  is  acting  in  that  capacity  at  present.  I  this  day  sent 
the  said  Arndoff  to  Front  Royal,  Luray,  and  various  other 
places.  He  is  a  responsible  man.  I  took  his  bond  for  $5,000. 

MICHAEL  GRAHAM. 

It  is  not  stated  that  Arndoff  ever  paid  the  bond.  I  knew 
Colonel  Crane  well,  and  Arndoff  did  not  deceive  the  old  gen 
tleman  much.  He  had  fully  measured  Arndoff  before  he 
spoke.  I  can  imagine  the  mischievous  twinkle  of  his  eye,  as 
with  the  Jack  O' Lantern  of  his  mind  he  illumined  the  hypo 
critical  Arndoff  and  "  filled  his  belly  with  the  east  wind  "  of 
this  Munchausen  invention. 

I  will  now  return  to  our  brigade.  On  the  I7th  we  marched 
to  the  Little  River  turnpike,  three  miles  below  Aldie;  on  the 
1 8th  we  moved  to  Gainesville  and  went  into  camp  above  Hay- 
market,  and  the  next  day  reached  Buckland,  where  the  enemy 
attacked  and  we  fell  back  slowly  to  Chestnut  Hill,  within 
two  and  one-half  miles  of  Warrenton.  General  Stuart  was  in 
command,  and  this  retreat  was  a  ruse  to  draw  the  enemy  for 
ward,  to  allow  General  Fitz  Lee  to  reach  his  rear.  At  this 
point,  General  Stuart,  hearing  Lee's  guns,  suddenly  turned 
about,  routed  the  enemy,  and  ran  them  back  to  Buckland, 
and  so  the  fight  was  known  as  the  Buckland  races.  Stuart 
captured  in  this  engagement  250  prisoners,  eight  wagons  and 
ambulances,  with  many  horses,  arms  and  equipments. 

General  Stuart,  in  his  report  of  the  Buckland  fight,  says : 

"  The  force  opposed  to  us  on  this  occasion  consisted  of  ten 
regiments  of  cavalry  and  six  pieces  of  artillery,  commanded 
by  General  Kilpatrick,  and  I  am  justified  in  declaring  the  rout 
of  the  enemy  at  Buckland  the  most  signal  and  complete  that 
any  cavalry  has  suffered  during  the  war.  It  is  remarkable 
that  Kilpatrick's  Division  seemed  to  disappear  from  the  field 


Bull  Rim  to  Bull  Run.  i/p 

of  operations  for  more  than  a  month,  that  time  being  neces 
sary,  no  doubt,  to  collect  the  panic-stricken  fugitives." 

I  remember  on  this  occasion  finding'  Jim  Randall  after  the 
fight,  sitting  near  a  dying  Federal  officer,  and,  inquiring  of 
him  what  he  was  doing,  he  replied :  "Am  waiting  for 
this  fellow  to  die,  so  I  can  get  his  watch  and  ring."  While 
he  was  engaged  in  conversation  with  me,  an  old  North  Caro 
linian  rode  up,  and,  spying  the  watch-chain  and  ring,  dis 
mounted  and  gathered  them  in,  much  to  the  chagrin  and 
disappointment  of  Jim.  Jim's  conscience  was  tenderer  than 
the  North  Carolinian's,  and  he  lost  the  prize. 

This  fight  terminated  the  Bristow  campaign,  and  on  the 
2Oth  we  moved  back  and  took  up  quarters  near  Culpeper, 
establishing  pickets  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Rappahannock. 

On  the  morning  after  our  return.  Company  B  was  agree 
ably  surprised  by  an  order  from  General  Lee,  received 
through  General  Stuart,  granting  the  company  a  furlough  of 
ten  davs,  with  permission  to  return  to  our  homes  in  Jefferson, 
as  a  reward  for  gallant  conduct  at  Warrentpn  Springs.  A 
shout  went  up  as  we  moved  off  for  home,  friends  and  relatives; 
and,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  those  homes  were  within 
the  Federal  lines,  no  blockade  was  sufficient  to  keep  us  out, 
and  the  time  was  happily  spent. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

And  the  stately  ships  go  on, 

To  the  haven  under  the  hill; 
But  O  for  the  touch  of  a  vanished  hand, 

And  the  sound  of  a  voice  that  is  still! 

Tennyson. 

On  the  return  of  Company  B  to  camp,  I  found  that  Colonel 
Thomas  L.  Rosser,  of  the  Fifth  Virginia  Cavalry,  had  been 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  and  assigned  to 
our  brigade.  He  was  a  dashing,  fine-looking  man,  was  a 
cadet  at  West  Point  from  Louisiana,  when  the  war  broke  out, 
resigned,  returned  to  his  home,  and  was  made  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Washington  Artillery  of  New  Orleans,  and  from  this 
position  had  worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  rank. 

M cade's  army  had  moved  east,  to  the  vicinity  of  Frede- 
ricksburg,  and  our  force,  to  confront  it,  had  moved  in  the  same 
direction,  the  Federal  army  occupying  the  northern  bank 
of  the  Rappahannock  and  the  Confederate  army  the  southern 
bank.  On  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  November,  our  brigade 
moved  down  in  the  direction  of  Chancellorsville,  and  ascer 
tained  from  our  pickets  at  Ely's  and  Gold  Mine  Fords,  that 
the  enemy  was  crossing  in  force  and  advancing  towards 
Chancellorsville.  Our  direction  was  changed  to  Tod's  Tavern, 
on  the  flank  of  General  Lee's  army,  where  we  encamped  for 
the  night. 

The  following  day  we  moved  to  the  Brock  road,  and 
striking  the  Plank  road,  fell  on  the  wagon-train  of  the  First 
and  Fifth  Federal  army  corps. 

As  we  approached  this  road,  the  Twelfth  regiment  in  front, 
Company  B  leading  the  advance,  we  rode  into  the  wagon- 
train  without  opposition,  and,  turning  to  the  right,  moved 
some  distance  through  the  train  before  encountering  any 

material  force.     On  meeting  a  heavy  infantry  guard,  a  retreat 

[180] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Rim.  181 

was  ordered,  and  we  moved  slowly  back.  We  succeeded  in 
destroying  about  40  wagons  and  in  bringing  off  about  the 
same  number,  with  seven  ambulances,  230  mules  and  horses, 
and  95  prisoners.  My  part  of  the  booty  on  this  occasion  was 
Major-General  Bartlett's  trunk,  filled  with  shirts,  collars,  and 
underwear,  and  his  measure  being  about  mine,  and  my  needs 
more  pressing,  all  were  appropriated  to  my  personal  use.  The 
trunk  was  brought  safely  through  the  war  and  given  to  a 
brother,  just  then  in  search  of  such  an  article.  Our  brigade 
returned  in  the  afternoon  to  Tod's  Tavern  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  the  brigade  moved  by  way  of 
Catharpin  road  to  Parker's  Store,  on  the  Plank  road,  where 
a  regiment  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  was  found  on  picket  duty, 
with  Gregg's  Division  in  close  proximity.  The  Seventh 
regiment  being  in  front  its  advance  dashed  on  the  pickets, 
10  to  15  in  number,  securing  them  all  as  prisoners,  and  then 
charged  into  the  reserve,  closely  followed  by  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment,  but  from  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  inter 
vening  obstacles,  the  regiment  was  thrown  into  confusion. 
White's  Battalion  and  the  Twelfth  were  now  ordered  up. 
White  attacked  on  the  right  flank  and  the  Twelfth  in  front, 
sweeping  everything  before  them,  killing,  wounding,  and 
capturing  a  large  number  and  taking  possession  of  their 
camp.  They  had  just  prepared  breakfast.  The  coffee  was 
smoking  and  the  repast  altogether  so  inviting  that  George 
Timberlake,  of  our  company,  dismounted  and  proceeded  to 
enjoy  the  feast,  when  the  enemy,  suddenly  charging,  cap 
tured  George  before  he  could  remount.  At  this  juncture  the 
fight  became  general,  and  Hampton,  coming  up  with  the 
North  Carolina  Brigade,  the  enemy  were  soon  driven  back. 
Over  100  prisoners  were  captured  with  arms  and  equipments, 
several  ambulances,  and  a  large  amount  of  commissary  stores. 

In  the  engagement  my  brother  Richard  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  brought  back  to  near  Verdiersville,  where  he 
died  the  following  day.  He  was  a  brave  and  gallant  soldier, 
and  had  been  wounded  in  1862  near  Charlestown. 


182  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Stuart,  in  his  official  report  of  this  engagement, 
says :  • 

"  Our  losses  were  slight  in  number,  but  two  valuable  offi 
cers  of  the  North  Carolina  Brigade  (Captain  Reese  and  Lieu 
tenant  Capeland)  were  killed.  General  Rosser  lost  three  men 
killed  and  15  wounded.  Private  Richard  Baylor,  Company 
B,  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  a  soldier  of  distinguished 
bravery,  and  one  of  those  who  volunteered  to  pass  through 
the  enemy  at  Auburn  in  October,  was  among  the  killed." 

General  Gregg,  in  his  official  report,  says: 

*'  On  the  2Qth  of  November,  Hampton's  Division  of  rebel 
cavalry  made  a  strong  attack  at  Parker's  Store,  with  the  view 
of  falling  upon  the  wagon-trains  of  the  army.  The  pickets 
of  the  regiment  at  Parker's  Store  were  rapidly  driven  in. 
The  regiment  engaged  in  distributing  rations  were  attacked 
on  all  sides  and  compelled  to  retire  toward  the  Wilderness. 
But  sooner  than  they  expected,  I  moved  three  regiments  of 
the  Second  Brigade,  with  a  section  of  King's  Battery,  Fourth 
United  States  Artillery,  toward  Parker's  Store.  The  Second 
and  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  in  advance  met  the  enemy, 
charged  him,  releasing  prisoners,  and  compelled  the  retire 
ment  of  the  enemy.  The  two  regiments  at  Parker's  Store  lost 
a  portion  of  their  rations,  and  one  wagon  was  burned  to  pre 
vent  its  falling  into  the,  hands  of  the  enemy.  On  this  day, 
the  loss  to  the  division  was  four  officers  wounded  (one  since 
died),  seven  enlisted  men  killed,  and  40  enlisted  men  wounded, 
and  one  officer  and  54  enlisted  men  missing." 

In  the  various  battles  of  the  war  up  to  this  period,  I  had 
mourned  the  death  of  friends  and  relatives,  but  the  loss  of  a 
brother,  just  two  years  my  senior,  and  with  whom  I  had  been 
intimately  associated  from  childhood,  as  schoolmate  and 
partner  in  all  my  sports  and  pleasures,  touched  a  nearer, 
tenderer  chord,  and  inflicted  a  blow  not  soon  forgotten. 

A  short  time  after    this    engagement,    our    brigade    was 


vW, 


Samuel  Wright  and  E.  Morton  Lackland. 


184  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ordered  to  Hamilton's  Crossing,  near  Fredericksburg.  Gen 
eral  Meade,  having  seen  a  ghost  at  Mine  *Run,  had  hastily 
retired  across  the  Rappahannock.  We  remained  at  Hamil 
ton's  Crossing  until  the  I7th  of  December,  when  we  crossed 
the  Rappahannock  at  Fredericksburg  and  began  a  movement 
in  rear  of  Meade's  army.  The  brigade  was  poorly  equipped 
for  such  a  winter  expedition.  The  greater  part  of  our  wagons 
and  all  our  winter  clothing  had  been  stored  in  the  Valley  the 
preceding  spring,  and  no  opportunity  afforded  us  of  pro 
curing  them.  The  morning  after  the  river  was  crossed,  it  be 
gan  raining,  snowing,  and  sleeting,  but  onward  we  went, 
until  we  reached  Sangster's  Station,  near  Fairfax,  on  the 
Manassas  Gap  railroad,  where  about  200  infantry  were  for 
tified  and  opposed  our  march.  The  Seventh  regiment  was  in 
front,  and  the  advance  squadron  charged  through  a  stream 
of  water  and  over  the  railroad  bank,  gaining  the  enemy's 
rear.  The  Eleventh  coming  up,  dashed  forward,  and  the 
Yankees  surrendered.  Our  loss  was  a  gallant  officer.  Captain 
Cartmell,  of  the  Eleventh,  and  we  captured  about  200  prison 
ers  and  their  arms. 

It  was  on  this  trip,  if  my  memory  serves  me  right,  that  our 
adjutant  and  I  practiced  a  cruel  joke  on  our  chaplain  and 
regimental  surgeon.  These  gentlemen  were  piously  inclined, 
as  chaplains  generally  and  surgeons  sometimes  are,  and  were 
both  fond  of  the  ladies,  and  something  more  palatable  than 
camp  diet.  As  the  brigade  was  marching  leisurely  along, 
some  one  called  attention  to  a  house  on  our  way  some  dis 
tance  in  advance,  and  remarked  that  it  was  occupied  by  a 
certain  lady,  naming  her,  generally  well  known  by  reputation 
in  army  circles.  I  will  say  her  name  was  not  Rahab,  but  she 
bore  somewhat  the  same  unsavory  reputation,  and  was  known 
for  her  hospitality.  At  the  Adjutant's  suggestion  and  with 
the  assent  if  not  approval  of  our  General,  who  enjoyed  a  little 
fun  equally  as  much  as  his  men,  we  proposed  to  our  chaplain 
and  surgeon  to  ride  ahead  of  our  column,  stop  at  this  house, 
warm  ourselves,  and  get  something  to  eat.  In  utter  igno- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  185 

ranee  of  the  nature  of  this  establishment,  these  pious  fellows 
fell  into  our  trap  and  away  we  galloped.  Arriving  at  the 
mansion,  our  horses  were  fastened  and  we  were  soon  enjoy 
ing,  a  good  old-time  wood  fire.  Two  ladies  presently  made 
their  appearance,  handsomely  dressed,  and  as  the  Adjutant 
and  myself  were  more  boyish  in  appearance  than  the  chaplain 
and  surgeon,  they  seated  themselves  by  the  latter  and  opened 
a  sprightly  conversation.  These  gentlemen  seemed  highly 
pleased  and  delighted  at  their  cordial  reception,  and  matters 
were  progressing  finely,  when  our  brigade  approached  and 
raised  a  shout  as  they  recognized  the  chaplain's  and  surgeon's 
horses  fastened  at  this  abode.  As  this  shout  reached  our  ears, 
the  ladies  threw  their  arms  around  the  necks  of  these  inno 
cents  and  made  other  demonstrations  of  violent  affection. 
At  this  juncture  the  adjutant  and  myself  slipped  out  of  the 
door,  soon  followed  by  the  chaplain  and  surgeon,  boiling  over 
with  wrath,  disgust,  and  indignation,  who,  as  they  mounted 
their  horses,  were  greeted  with  cheers  and  laughter  from  the 
brigade.  The  surgeon  never  forgave  this  cruel  joke,  and  re 
fused  to  speak  to  us,  but  the  chaplain,  a  good-natured,  popu 
lar  fellow,  seemed  rather  to  enjoy  the  surgeon's  discomfiture. 
This  might  appear  nowadays  a  rather  unwarrantable  liberty 
with  these  gentlemen,  but  soldiers  must  have  something  to 
break  the  monotony  of  their  lives.  No  one  was  hurt  in  either 
morals  or  reputation,  as  the  matter  was  soon  understood  by 
all. 

Our  march  was  resumed  and  Bull  Run  crossed  with  much 
difficulty,  as  the  stream  was  greatly  swollen  by  rain.  The 
night  was  exceeding  dark,  and  our  progress  was  slow  and 
difficult.  About  midnight  a  northwester  sprung  up,  and 
the  rain,  freezing  as  it  fell,  the  men  became  cold  and  stiff 
in  their  saddles.  At  daylight  Middleburg  was  reached 
and  the  brigade  continued  to  Upperville  to  feed.  On  our 
arrival  there,  many  of  the  men  had  to  be  lifted  from  their 
horses  and  warmed  up  before  they  could  move;  but  a  warm 
breakfast,  with  a  taste  of  old  rye,  revived  our  spirits  and  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

journey  was  renewed  with  more  spirit  and  cheerfulness.  When 
we  reached  the  Shenandoah,  at  Berry's  Fefry,  it  was  so  much 
swollen  that  a  crossing  could  not  be  effected,  and  we  pro 
ceeded  up  the  eastern  side  of  the  stream  above  Swift  Run  Gap 
before  a  crossing  could  be  had.  After  passing  over  the  river, 
the  brigade  passed  down  the  Valley  to  Mount  Jackson  and 
encamped. 

On  December  3ist,  our  brigade,  with  a  portion  of  General 
Fitz  Lee's  Division,  left  Mount  Jackson  and  marched  to 
Moorefield.  The  weather  was  intensely  cold  and  the  moun 
tain  road  so  slippery  that  our  artillery  and  our  quartermaster 
wagons  were  compelled  to  return.  After  reaching  Moorefield 
we  moved  towards  New  Creek,  capturing  a  train  of  40 
wagons,  240  horses  and  mules,  and  250  cattle.  At  Burlington 
we  took  a  few  prisoners.  The  weather  now  became  unen 
durable,  and  the  suffering  of  the  men  so  great  that  the  brigade 
was  forced  to  return  to  the  Valley  and  go  into  winter  quar 
ters. 

On  the  28th  of  January  following,  our  brigade,  under  Gen 
eral  Rosser,  with  four  pieces  of  artillery,  moved  to  Moorefield, 
arriving  there  on  the  evening  of  the  29th.  On  the  3Oth,  we 
moved  across  the  mountains  towards  New  Creek  Grade.  In 
the  mountain  pass  a  regiment  of  Federal  infantry  opposed 
our  progress  by  felling  trees  across  the  road  and  digging  it 
away  on  the  hillside.  Rosser,  dismounting  sharp-shooters 
from  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  regiments  and  White's  Bat 
talion,  made  no  headway  against  this  force  so  advantageously 
posted.  To  expedite  matters,  he  directed  me  to  take  the 
first  squadron  of  the  Twelfth,  Companies  B  and  I,  pass  over 
the  mountains  by  a  by-path,  intercept  communications  be 
tween  New  creek  and  Petersburg,  and  attack  the  enemy  in 
the  rear.  Furnished  with  a  guide,  we  passed  up  a  steep  ascent 
of  the  mountain,  frequently  obliged  to  dismount  and  lead  our 
horses  up  the  narrow  and  dangerous  defile,  reached  the  New 
creek  grade  after  a  long  and  tedious  journey  and  prepared  to 
move  on  the  enemy's  rear.  Having  been  informed  by  Gen- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  187 

eral  Rosser  that  the  enemy  only  had  a  squadron  of  cavalry, 
and,  feeling  assured  that  our  squadron  was  a  match  for  it, 
all  fears  for  our  safety  were  allayed.  Passing  down  the  moun 
tain  road  a  short  distance,  my  advance  galloped  back,  inform 
ing  me  that  the  enemy  was  charging  us.  The  road  being 
circuitous  at  this  point,  the  enemy  could  not  be  seen,  but, 
supposing  the  force  charging  was  the  enemy's  cavalry,  a 
counter-charge  was  ordered,  and  as  we  passed  a  bend  in  the 
road  at  full  speed,  we  ran  into  a  regiment  of  infantry.  It  was 
too  late  to  retreat,  so,  as  we  dashed  into  their  front  files,  the 
regiment  broke  to  the  wood  on  either  side;  but,  being  unable 
to  cope  with  them,  we  were  forced  to  retreat,  with  the  loss 
of  a  gallant  comrade,  Samuel  Wright,  of  Company  B.  An 
overshadowing  Providence  alone  protected  us  from  terrible 
slaughter.  Retiring  in  the  direction  of  the  New-creek  grade, 
the  squadron  was  drawn  up  at  the  base  of  the  mountain  to 
await  results.  In  a  few  moments  the  enemy  debouched  from 
the  mountain  pass  at  a  double-quick,  reached  the  New-creek 
grade,  moved  i^i  the  direction  of  New  creek,  and  were  soon 
joined  by  reinforcements.  In  a  few  moments  after  the  enemy 
passed  out,  Roiser  appeared  with  his  brigade  and  artillery, 
and  we  joined  them  and  pressed  on  after  the  enemy.  Over 
taking  them  after  a  short  march,  we  found  them  prepared  to 
deceive  us^vith  a  large  wagon-train  parked  in  their  rear. 
Although  they  outnumbered  our  force,  Rosser  speedily  made 
preparations  for  attack.  The  men  with  carbines  were  dis 
mounted  and  the  ball  opened.  The  mounted  men  of  the 
Twelfth  were  sent  to  our  right  to  reach  the  rear  of  the  enemy 
and  attack,  while  the  residue  of  our  command  attacked  the 
front  and  left  flank.  Having  reached  our  position,  which 
was  on  a  hill  sloping  towards  the  enemy,  Colonel  Massie 
ordered  me  to  lead  the  charge  with  the  first  squadron  on  the 
enemy's  right  and  rear. 

On  leaving  Staunton  a  few  days  prior  to  starting  on  this 
expedition  a  lady  friend  had  handed  me  her  handkerchief, 
with  the  request  that  I  should  wear  it  in  the  next  fight. 


188  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Remembering  my  promise,  it  was  fastened  to  my  hat-cord, 
and  in  the  breeze  floated  as  a  white  plume?  Drawing  up  the 
squadron  in  platoons,  I  addressed  them  as  follows : 

"  Soldiers,  the  enemy  is  before  you.  In  victory  there  is 
safety  and  glory;  in  defeat,  ignominy  and  disgrace.  You  will 
not  hesitate.  The  eyes  of  your  General  and  of  your  fellow- 
soldiers  are  upon  you.  Virginia,  your  mother,  bids  you  god 
speed  and  the  prayers  of  her  fair  daughters  attend  you.  The 
eternal  God  is  our  refuge  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting 
arms." 

"  Then  conquer  we  must,  for  our  cause  it  is  just. 
Let  this  be  our  motto:   'In  God  is  our  trust.  ' 
Charge!   boys,  charge!  " 

Down  the  slope  the  squadron  rushed  with  impetuous  ardor, 
sweeping  everything  before  them.  Colonel  Massie,  with  the 
rest  of  the  mounted  men  of  the  Twelfth,  following  closely 
in  our  track,  and  General  Rosser,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade, 
pressing  in  front,  the  enemy  broke  in  confusion  and  aban 
doned  the  train.  Just  as  the  first  squadron  reached  the  wagon- 
train,  a  Federal  soldier,  about  fifteen  yards  to  my  right,  level 
ing  his  gun  on  me,  fired.  I  saw  his  movement  and  dodged  to 
one  side  of  my  horse  to  disconcert  his  aim,  but  his  ball  passed 
through  my  left  shoulder  and  rendered  me  hors  dc  combat. 
In  a  few  moments  I  was  taken  from  my  horse,  and  bandages 
being  scarce,  the  handkerchief  was  taken  from  my  hat  to 
staunch  the  flow  of  blood.  Our  regimental  surgeon  soon 
appearing,  my  wound  was  properly  dressed  and  bandaged, 
and  an  ambulance  conveyed  me  to  Moorefield.  The  loss  in 
our  brigade  was  24  killed  and  wounded.  The  enemy  lost  80 
killed  and  wounded,  40  prisoners,  one  major  (Judge  Goff), 
and  two  captains.  We  captured  95  wagons  heavily  loaded 
with  stores  and  a  large  number  of  mules. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  accompany 
ing  our  brigade  on  this  expedition,  gives  the  following 
account  of  this  engagement : 


John  Lewis. 


190  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

'  The  foray  made  by  Early,  Fitz  Lee,  and  Rosser  about 
the  first  of  January,  1864,  proving  rather  unsuccessful,  it  was 
ordered  that  General  Early,  with  one  brigade  of  infantry  (Gen 
eral  Thomas's),  Rosser's  brigade  of  cavalry,  and  McCalla- 
han's  Battery,  should  make  another  effort  toward  relieving 
the  border  of  Yankees  and  cattle.  Information  had  been 
received  that  a  large  supply-train  would  move  from  New 
Creek  to  Petersburg  on  a  certain  day;  and,  moreover,  it  was 
necessary  that  we  should  hold  Petersburg  in  order  to  make 
our  search  for  cattle  successful.  The  plan  of  operations 
having  been  decided  upon,  General  Early,  with  Thomas's 
brigade  of  infantry,  crossed  by  Orkney  Springs.  General 
Rosser's  brigade,  with  McCallahan's  Battery  at  Brock's  Gap, 
forming  a  junction  at  Mathias's  on  the  3ist,  and  entering 
Moorefield  on  the  ist  of  February.  That  night  our  picket  on 
the  Petersburg  road,  through  negligence,  was  captured  by  a 
scouting  party  of  the  enemy  that  advanced  within  a  half-mile 
of  General  Early's  headquarters,  without  becoming  aware  of 
our  presence.  General  Rosser,  in  order  to  prevent  com 
munication  between  Petersburg  and  the  expected  train,  sent 
out  Baylor's  squadron  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  with 
a  guide,  to  intercept  couriers  passing  from  one  point  to 
another.  The  brigade  moved  off  about  10  A.  M.  on  the 
road  crossing  the  mountain  and  intersecting  the  Petersburg 
and  New-Creek  road  about  five  miles  above  Williamsport. 
As  we  were  approaching  the  top  of  the  mountain,  our  advance 
guard  was  checked  by  an  infantry  picket  of  the  enemy  about 
200  strong,  which  had  been  engaged  in  obstructing  the  road. 
They  moved  off  rapidly  and  safely,  for  pursuit  was  impracti 
cable  in  consequence  of  the  thorough  blockade  the  enemy 
had  constructed  by  throwing  heavy  timber  across  the  road 
for  a  distance  of  three  miles  and  digging  away  the  road  itself 
for  some  distance.  These  obstacles,  by  means  of  axes  and 
picks  in  the  hands  of  eager  and  determined  men,  were 
speedily  removed,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  Yankees  were 
again  in  sight,  in  rapid  rout  for  the  Petersburg  road.  The 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  191 

Twelfth  moving  down  on  them,  speedily  checked  them  up, 
but  was  unable  to  inflict  any  injury  on  account  of  the  enemy's 
position,  who  had  lost  no  time  in  esconscing  himself  in  the 
thick  growth  on  the  side  of  the  mountain.  At  this  crisis,  how 
ever,  Baylor's  squadron,  misled  through  the  ignorance  of  the 
guide,  came  up  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy  and  speedily  dis 
lodged  him.  General  Rosser,  following  with  his  cavalry  and 
battery,  turned  towards  Williamsport  and  came  up  in  sight 
of  the  enemy  about  two  miles  below,  just  as  the  Yankee  picket 
met  their  main  column'.  The  Yankees  were  1,100  strong, 
under  Colonel  Snyder.  Confident  of  easy  victory,  they  had 
parked  their  train,  and  were  prepared  to  receive  us. 

"  General  Rosser,  dismounting  detachments  of  the  Seventh, 
Eleventh,  and  Twelfth  and  White's  battalion,  in  all  about  300 
men,  placing  his  battery  in  position  and  throwing  forward 
the  remaining  squadron  of  the  Seventh  under  Major  Myers 
to  charge  the  enemy  when  an  opportunity  offered,  sent  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Massie,  with  the  rest  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia, 
to  make  a  demonstration  in  the  enemy's  rear,  intercept  com 
munications,  and  blockade  the  road  and  commence  the  attack. 
Here    was    presented  a  sight    novel    and    suggestive — dis 
mounted  cavalry,  with  short-range  guns,  attacking  more  than 
three  times  their  number  of  infantry,  prepared  both  by  time 
and  position  to  receive  them.    Pressing  rapidly  on  the  enemy, 
he  drove  them  from  one  position  to  another  until,  having 
fairly  uncovered  the  train,  the  appearance  of  our  cavalry  in 
their  rear  excited  an  agitation  in  their  ranks,  which  the  effec 
tive  charge  of  Major  Myers  quickly  fomented  into  a  panic, 
and  the  enemy  sought  safety  in  the  neighboring  mountains. 
Ninety  wagons,  450  mules,  flour,  bacon,  salt,  molasses,  sugar, 
coffee,  beans,  rice,  overcoats  and  blankets,  with  four  sutler 
wagons,  loaded  with  all  manner  of  eatables  and  wearables, 
were  the  booty  captured.   We  reached  camp  on  the  6th  with 
1,200  cattle  and  the  capture  already  named.     Our  casualties 
are  Lieutenant  Howell,  of  the  Seventh,  lost  an  arm;  Captain 
Richardson,  of  the  Eleventh,  shot  through  the  leg;  the  gal- 


192  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

lant  Lieutenant    Baylor,  wounded  in  the  shoulder;   John  PL 
Buck,  of  the  brigade  staff,  in  the  leg." 

This  correspondent  fails  to  note  that  Samuel  Wright,  Com 
pany  B,  of  the  Twelfth,  was  killed,  and  Charles  Wiltshire, 
Company  A,  of  the  Twelfth,  wounded. 

Colonel  Snyder,  commanding,  in  his  official  report  to  Gen 
eral  Mulligan,  says : 

"  In  obedience  to  your  orders,  I  started  in  command  of  the 
escort  to  supply-train  for  the  garrison  at  Petersburg  on 
Friday,  January  29,  1864.  On  the  next  morning  I  received 
a  dispatch  from  Colonel  Thoburn  requesting  me  to  hurry  up 
the  train,  that  the  Twenty-third  Illinois  regiment  was  at 
Moorefield  Junction.  Later  in  the  day  couriers  came  back 
with  the  request  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Quirk  to  push  for 
ward  the  train.  The  train  was  moved  forward  with  all  possi 
ble  speed  and  proceeded  unmolested  until  we  arrived  at 
Medley,  two  and  one-half  miles  below  Moorefield  Junction, 
where  I  met  Lieutenant-Colonel  Quirk,  commanding 
Twenty-third  Illinois,  falling  back  before  the  advance  of  the 
enemy.  Being  the  ranking  officer  present,  I  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  forces  and  immediately  formed  line  of  battle  on 
the  right  of  the  road,  the  Twenty-third  Illinois,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Quirk,  occupying  the  left,  a  detachment  of  the 
Second  Maryland  the  center,  four  companies  of  the  Fourth 
West  Virginia  Cavalry  occupying  the  right.  Two  companies 
of  the  Fourth  were  placed  in  position  on  our  right  flank,  also 
a  detachment  of  the  Ringold  Battalion,  Lieutenant  Speer, 
to  prevent,  if  possible,  a  flank  movement  by  the  enemy.  Two 
companies  of  the  Fourth  were  ordered  to  take  position  on  our 
left  flank  to  prevent  a  similar  movement  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  two  remaining  companies  of  the  Fourth  were  placed  in 
rear  of  the  center,  to  be  used  as  the  emergencies  of  the  en 
gagement  might  demand.  I  had  scarcely  got  my  command 
in  position  when  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  with  two  pieces 
of  artillery,  their  infantry  advancing  at  the  same  time,  which 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  193 

was  met  by  a  galling  fire  from  my  front,  and  caused  them 
to  fall  back.  Thrice  they  attempted  the  same  thing,  with  the 
same  results. 

"During  the  engagement  in  front, the  enemy  was  extending 
their  flanks,  either  of  which  lines — front,  right,  or  left — was 
larger  than  my  entire  command.  At  this  crisis,  I  ordered 
the  train  to  be  turned  and  started  back,  but  to  my  great  morti 
fication  two  of  the  trainmasters  had  fled,  and  ail  the  teamsters, 
with  few  exceptions.  The  position  of  my  command  was  be 
coming  perilous.  I  discovered  that  the  train  must  be  aban 
doned  in  order  to  save  my  command  from  capture.  I  then 
ordered  my  men  to  fall  back  to  an  elevation,  where  we 
re-formed  in  line  of  battle,  giving  the  enemy  several  volleys, 
which  checked  their  advance.  Having  foiled  the  enemy  in 
their  designs  as  long  as  it  was  possible  for  my  little  command 
to  do  so,  having  fought  against  great  adds  for  one  hour  and 
twenty  minutes,  to  save  my  command  from  capture,  I  was 
compelled  to  order  a  retreat,  which  I  did,  my  command 
leaving  the  field  slowly  and  in  line  of  battle.  My  entire  loss, 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  is  as  follows :  Major  N.  Goff, 
Jr.,  Fourth  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  captured  (horse  shot,  fell 
on  his  leg,  and  could  not  extricate  himself);  Lieutenant 
Elliott,  slightly  wounded;  privates — killed,  five;  wounded,  34; 
missing,  35.  I  am  confident  the  enemy's  loss  was  much 
greater  than  ours.  From  information  received  since  the 
engagement  I  am  justified  in  saying  that  the  rebel  force  con 
sisted  of  Rosser's  command  of  Early's  Corps,  with  five  pieces 
of  artillery." 

After  reading  this  report  carefully,  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
that  Colonel  Snyder  fought  like  Falstaff  by  Shrewsbury 
clock. 

General  Kelley,  in  his  report,  says : 

"  Colonel  Thoburn's  wagon-train  was  attacKed  and  cap 
tured  yesterday.    We  lost  about  80  men  killed  and  wounded. 
The  enemy's  loss  was  much  greater.     We  lost  the  wagon- 
train  almost  entirely." 
13 


Run  to  Bul1  Run. 

The  night  after  this  fight  was  spent  by  me  at  the  hospitable 
home  of  Mr.  McMechen,  in  Moorefield,  ancf  my  old  college- 
mate  at  Dickinson,  Dr.  O.  S.  Williams,  dressed  my  wound, 
and  every  care  and  attention  was  shown  me  by  the  family  of 
Mr.  McMechen.  The  next  day,  in  company  with  the  body  of 
my  comrade,  Sam  Wright,  I  reached  Mathias,  and  the  fol 
lowing  day  Harrisonburg,  and  was  comfortably  quartered  as 
the  guest  of  my  cousins,  Colonel  A.  S.  Gray's  family. 

I  remember  while  at  Colonel  Gray's,  playing  the  role  of  an 
ancient  Hobson.  There  was  visiting  at  this  home,  a  dashing, 
handsome  young  lady,  who  played  the  guitar  and  sang 
•divinely.  My  left  arm  was  bandaged  to  my  side.  One  day  as 
I  sat  listening  to  her  syren  strains  I  became  so  infatuated  that 
I  could  not  resist  the  impulse,  and,  seizing  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity,  while  she  was  playing  and  singing  in  the  parlor,  with 
110  one  nigh,  neared  her  side  just  as  she  reached  "  Chamouni, 
Sweet  Chamouni !  Oh,  the  vale  of  Chamouni,"  clasped  her 
neck  with  my  right  arm,  and  imprinted  a  kiss  on  her  cheek. 
Down  went  the  guitar,  and,  jumping  up  and  facing  me,  she 
exclaimed,  "  You  impudent  soldier,"  and,  going  to  the  hall, 
called  the  ladies  of  the  house  and  accused  me  before  them. 
This  was  a  kiss  that  even  yet  has  a  lingering  sweetness,  worth 
ten  thousand  of  these  modern  Hobsonian,  microbian,  bac- 
terian,  pro  bono  publico  osculations. 

Remaining  at  Harrisonburg  about  two  weeks,  I  moved  to 
Staunton  and  was  quartered  in  the  Confederate  Hospital, 
where  I  remained  until  the  ist  of  May  following.  While  there 
I  returned  the  handkerchief  to  its  fair  owner,  dyed  in  my 
blood,  but  beyond  her  kindness  and  attention  nothing  more 
romantic  grew  out  of  the  affair. 

Our  brigade,  after  this  trip,  remained  quiet  in  camp  near 
Harrisonburg  and  near  Balcony  Falls.  At  the  Harrisonburg 
camp,  by  a  coup  d'etat,  or,  possibly  a  coup  de  main,  Company 
B  succeeded  in  relieving  Dr.  Burton,  our  brigade  surgeon, 
of  a  keg  of  fine  brandy,  obtained  by  him  for  medicinal  pur 
poses,  but  most  generally  used  by  the  brigade  and  regimental 


Elijah  Lewis. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

officers  for  home  consumption.  I  learned  afterwards  how  the 
robbery  was  effected.  The  term  of  enlistment  t>f  the  regiment 
was  expiring-,  and  a  good  deal  of  enthusiasm  was  being 
aroused  by  the  officers  to  encourage  the  men  to  re-enlist. 
Some  of  Company  B  had  been  in  the  Surgeon's  tent  and 
learned  of  the  arrival  of  the  brandy,  and  the  Doctor's  en 
thusiasm  on  the  subject  of  re-enlistment  (mostly  produced 
by  the  brandy).  Having  laid  their  plans,  they  marched  in  a 
body  to  the  Doctor's  tent  and  called  on  him  for  a  speech,  and 
while  the  boys  in  front  of  the  tent  were  cheering  and  applaud 
ing  the  Doctor's  feeble  efforts,  a  chosen  detail  raised  the  rear 
of  the  tent,  rolled  out  the  keg  and  bore  it  off  in  triumph.  That 
night,  as  the  Doctor  was  about  to  take  his  retiring  drink,  the 
keg  was  missed,  but  no  clue  to  its  whereabouts  could  be 
obtained. 

On  a  visit  to  the  camp,  on  one  occasion,  the  Doctor  came 
to  see  me,  saying  he  knew  Company  B  had  his  keg  of  brandy, 
and  if  I  would  see  the  boys  and  get  them  to  return  him  a  gal 
lon  he  would  say  nothing  more  about  the  matter;  but  I 
resented  so  foul  an  imputation  upon  the  good  name  of  Com 
pany  B,  though  I  was  satisfied  from  what  I  had  seen  and 
heard  that  the  accusation  was  well  founded.  Dr.  Burton  never 
got  a  drink  of  that  brandy,  but  Company  B  had  a  merry  time 
over  it  for  a  couple  of  weeks.  Lieutenant  Washington  awoke 
one  night  and  found  two  spies  standing  over  his  tent  and 
watching  his  movements,'  but  on  complaint  to  headquarters, 
no  further  steps  were  taken  to  ascertain  the  culprits.  Com 
pany  B  drank  the  brandy,  grew  enthusiastic,  and  unani 
mously  re-enlisted. 

General  Rosser  having  made  his  report  on  the  fight  near 
Medley  and  the  capture  of  the  enemy's  train,  it  was  indorsed 
by  General  Stuart  as  follows: 

4<  Respectfully  forwarded.  The  bold  and  successful  enter 
prise  herein  reported  furnishes  additional  proof  of  General 
Rosser's  merits  as  a  commander,  and  adds  fresh  laurels  to  that 
veteran  brigade  so  signalized  for  valor  already." 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  797 

After  this,  General  Rosser,  in  a  general  order,  baptized  the 
brigade  "  The  Laurel  Brigade,"  and  directed  that  each  mem 
ber  of  the  command  should  wear  a  laurel  leaf  on  his  hat;  an 
order  not  relished  by  the  men,  and  "  more  honored  in  the 
breach  than  the  observance."  They  recognized  that  while 
there  was  a  time  to  fight,  there  was  also  a  time  to  run,  and  it 
would  be  the  height  of  infamy  and  disgrace  to  engage  in  the 
latter  with  such  a  civic  crown  publicly  displayed,  and  they 
were  not  yet  prepared  for  the  last-ditch  extremity. 

The  residue  of  the  winter  was  passed  by  the  company  in 
the  quietude  of  camp.  Occasionally,  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
season,  gathering  a  few  hospital  patients,  I  would  make  a 
little  sally  into  the  lower  Valley,  more  for  the  purpose  of 
visiting  my  home  and  friends  than  attacking  the  enemy. 
General  Averill  seems  to  have  been  informed  of  these  visits 
by  his  argus-eyed  and  his  hundredfold  magnifying  patrol,  as 
on  March  10,  1864,  he  wires  General  Sullivan  at  Harper's 
Ferry :  "  It  is  reported  by  my  patrol  that  about  90  rebels, 
under  Baylor,  are  hovering  about  Smithfield.'1  I  remember 
returning  from  one  of  these  trips  with  my  friend,  Captain  John 
Opie,  of  Staunton,  and  passing  up  the  Luray  Valley.  Night 
overtook  us  near  an  old  war  acquaintance,  Mr.  Peter  Keyser, 
who  lived  on  the  west  bank  of  the  east  fork  of  the  Shenan- 
doah.  When  the  river  was  reached,  it  was  too  dark  to  dis 
tinguish  the  ford,  and  we  halted  on  the  east  bank  for  some 
time,  debating  whether  the  crossing  should  be  attempted  and 
which  should  be  the  leader.  Both  were  equally  incapacitated, 
each  having  an  arm  in  the  sling.  John,  however,  was  a  good 
swimmer,  an  art  never  learned  by  me.  It  was,  finally  deter 
mined  that  I  should  lead  the  way,  so  into  the  stream  I 
plunged,  trusting  my  horse,  a  fine  one,  would  bear  me  over 
safely.  As  I  was  mounting  the  opposite  bank  I  heard  a 
splash  and  cry  for  help,  and,  looking  back,  saw  John  in  the 
water,  with  his  hand  holding  his  stirrup  strap,  and  his  horse 
bravely  making  for  shore,  which  he  reached  in  safety,  John 
only  worsted  by  a  good  ducking.  Hurrying  up  to  Mr.  Key- 


ip8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ser's,  he  and  his  two  daughters  gave  us  a  kind  welcome,  and 
we  were  soon  warming  before  a  rousing  old-nine  wood  fire. 
Mr.  Keyser  insisted  that  John  should  change  his  garments 
and  put  on  a  suit  of  his  clothing,  while  his  own  were  dried. 
Now,  it  so  happened  that  Mr.  Keyser  was  a  portly,  corpulent 
man,  weighing,  possibly,  three  hundred  pounds,  and  John 
was  tall,  spare,  and  slender.  At  the  first  entreaty,  John  de 
clined  the  old  gentleman's  kindness,  evidently  recognizing 
the  misfit  with  a  glance,  but  his  condition  was  so  uncomfort 
able  that  he  finally  assented,  and  he  and  his  host  retired  for 
the  exchange.  In  a  half-hour,  John  returned  to  the  parlor, 
where  the  young  ladies  and  myself  were  engaged  in  conver 
sation,  and  the  metamorphosis  was  so  great  that  as  our  eyes 
fell  upon  him  the  whole  party  roared  with  laughter.  John's 
legs  seemed  a  foot  too  long  for  the  pants  and  the  pants 
seemed  a  foot  too  wide  for  his  legs;  the  seat  of  the  trousers 
bagged  about  as  if  needing  a  feather  bed  to  complete  the 
outfit,  while  the  little  shadbelly  coat  lacked  a  heavy  stomacher 
to  keep  its  sides  from  too  much  overlap.  He  was  the  skeleton 
in  the  fat  man's  clothes.  John  grew  angry  at  our  irresistible 
merriment  and  so  much  exasperated  with  me  that  in  the 
morning  he  challenged  me  to  fight.  I  declined  to  accommo 
date  him  for  the  present,  stating  that  when  I  got  through  the 
job  on  hand  with  the  Yankees  I  would  consider  the  matter, 
well  knowing  he  was  too  proud  and  honorable  to  murder  me. 
He  can  now  smile  faintly  over  this  incident,  but  it  still  rankles 
in  his  bosom. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

No  star  ever  rose 

And  set,  without  influence  somewhere.     Who  knows 
What  earth  needs  from  earth's  lowest  creature! 
No  life 

Can  be  pure  in  its  purpose  and  strong  in  its  strife 
And  all  life  not  be  purer  and  stronger  thereby. 

Lucille. 

On  March  10,  1864,  General  Grant  was  given  command  of 
all  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  with  headquarters  nomi 
nally  in  Washington,  but  in  fact  in  the  field  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  with  unlimited  supplies  of  men  and  material 
at  his  command,  preparations  on  a  grand  scale  were  made  for 
crushing  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  in  the  coming  cam 
paign.  General  Scott  had  tried  it  and  been  sent  back  from 
Manassas  in  great  rout  and  panic.  McClellan  had  been  called 
from  West  Virginia  to  supersede  Scott,  and  had  organized  a 
larger,  grander  army,  with  the  bombastic  Pope  as  an  ally, 
but  the  battles  around  Richmond,  at  Cedar  Mountain  and  at 
Second  Manassas  had  shorn  the  locks  of  both. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1862,  McClellan  had  been  re 
lieved  and  Burnside  put  in  command,  but  Fredericksburg's 
bloody  massacre  ended  his  little  hour  on  the  stage,  and 
Hooker  entered  in  the  next  act.  On  the  26th  of  January, 
1863,  Mr.  Lincoln  wrote  him  as  follows: 

"  General,  I  have  placed  you  at  the  head  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Of  course,  I  have  done  this  upon  what  appears 
to  me  sufficient  reasons,  yet  I  think  it  best  for  you  to  know 
that  there  are  some  things  in  regard  to  which  I  am  not  quite 
satisfied  with  you.  I  believe  you  to  be  a  brave  and  skillful 
soldier,  which,  of  course,  I  like.  I  also  believe  you  do  not 
mix  politics  with  your  profession,  in  which  you  are  right. 
You  have  confidence  in  yourself,  which  is  a  valuable,  if  not  an 

[199] 


2OO  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

indispensable  quality.  You  are  ambitious,  which,  within 
reasonable  bounds,  does  good  rather  than  harm;  but  I  think 
that  during  General  Burnside's  command  ef  the  army,  you 
have  taken  counsel  of  your  ambition,  and  thwarted  him  as 
much  as  you  could,  in  which  you  did  a  great  wrong  to  the 
country,  and  to  a  most  meritorious  and  honorable  brother 
officer.  I  have  heard  in  such  a  way  as  to  believe  it,  of  your 
recently  saying  that  both  the  army  and  the  government 
needed  a  dictator.  Of  course,  it  was  not  for  this,  but  in  spite 
of  it,  that  I  have  given  you  the  command.  Only  those  gen 
erals  who  gain  successes  can  set  up  dictators.  What  I  now 
ask  of  you  is  military  success  and  I  will  risk  the  dictatorship." 

On  the  same  day  Hooker  took  command,  and  issued  his 
general  order  to  the  army,  in  which  he  said : 

"  In  equipment,  intelligence  and  valor  the  enemy  is  our 
inferior;  let  us  never  hesitate  to  give  him  battle,  wherever  we 
can  find  him." 

After  not  very  diligent  search  he  found  him  at  Chancellors- 
ville,  and  after  the  loss  of  1,700  men,  retreated  by  night  to  the 
north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock  and  issued  another  general 
order,  in  which  he  said : 

"  Profoundly  loyal  and  conscious  of  its  strength,  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  will  give  or  decline  battle  whenever  its  in 
terest  or  honor  will  demand.  It  will  also  be  the  guardian  of 
its  own  history  and  its  own  fame." 

Poor  Hooker!  How  heavily  he  fell!  "Ambition  should 
be  made  of  sterner  stuff."  Where  is  thy  dictatorship?  The 
ingredients  of  success  are  wanting,  thy  doom  is  pronounced, 
and  the  ghost  of  Meade,  with  a  kingly  crown,  walks  upon  the 
stage.  Meade  struts  his  little  hour  upon  that  stage  and  the 
glory  of  Grant  soon  obscures  him. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1864,  the  armies  of  Grant  and  Lee  began 
to  move,  and  our  brigade  was  ordered  east  of  the  mountains. 
The  men  and  horses,  refreshed  from  the  rest  of  the  past  three 


**&*   ^V 


"Wm.  Locke. 


202  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

months,  were  now  ready  for  another  campaign.  The  brigade 
reached  Waynesboro  on  the  3d,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 
Having  learned  of  its  movements,  I  bade  th«  hospital  farewell 
and  reported  for  duty.  On  the  4th,  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge 
and  passed  through  Charlottesville  on  our  way  to  Tod's 
Tavern.  The  next  day,  as  we  were  nearing  Tod's  Tavern, 
with  the  Twelfth  Cavalry  in  front  and  Companies  B  and  I  in 
advance,  under  Captain  Louis  Harman  (who  had  lately  been 
promoted  from  adjutant  of  our  regiment  to  the  captaincy 
of  Company  I),  we  suddenly  encountered  the  advance  of 
Wilson's  Division  of  Cavalry.  General  Rosser,  who  was 
riding  with  the  advance,  immediately  ordered  a  charge,  and 
off  the  squadron  went,  striking  the  enemy  a  blow  which 
caused  a  panic  and  flight  without  much  resistance.  Rushing 
the  advance  back  on  its  regiment,  that  also  broke  and  joined 
in  the  retreat.  Sabers  were  freely  used  on  the  retreating  foe, 
and  large  numbers  of  them  captured.  Our  advantage 
was  pressed  with  vigor  about  two  miles,  when  we  ran  into  a 
brigade  of  the  enemy  drawn  up  to  receive  us,  and  so  close  was 
the  pursuit  that  our  front  files  passed  through  the  enemy's 
line,  with  the  fugitives,  before  the  situation  was  realized. 

The  enemy  soon  began  to  close  in  upon  us,  anticipating 
an  easy  capture,  as  our  support  had  been  so  far  outdistanced 
in  the  race  as  to  afford  us  no  help.  At  this  point,  there  was 
a  thick  wood  on  our  left,  and,  turning  my  horse  into  the  wood, 
most  of  the  men  followed  and  all  escaped,  a  few  having  re 
ceived  slight  saber  cuts.  Captain  Harman,  however,  was 
riding  an  unmanageable  horse,  and,  being  unable  to  turn  it 
into  the  wood,  was  carried  on  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy, 
and  was  captured.  Having  reached  the  road  in  front  of  the 
enemy,  we  were  driven  back  upon  our  regiment,  when  the 
tide  of  battle  was  again  turned  and  the  enemy  repulsed.  The 
rest  of  the  brigade  now  coming  up,  a  portion  of  the  men  were 
dismounted  and  a  steady  forward  movement  begun.  After 
driving  the  enemy  some  distance,  a  favorable  opportunity  be 
ing  offered,  a  charge  of  mounted  men  was  ordered,  the  enemy 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  203 

routed,  driven  in  confusion  beyond  Tod's  Tavern,  many  being 
killed,  wounded,  and  captured.  It  was  on  this  occasion,  just 
after  the  rout  of  the  enemy,  that  Major  McDonald,  of  the 
Eleventh,  in  the  midst  of  the  pursuit,  became  so  enthused 
that  he  grasped  General  Rosser  around  the  waist,  exclaiming, 
"  General,  isn't  this  glorious !  "  and  together  they  went  down 
the  road  full  tilt,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  brigade.  The 
enemy  were  driven  over  the  Po  river  upon  their  infantry 
lines,  and  the  pursuit  was  abandoned.  From  prisoners  taken 
we  learned  that  the  force  encountered  was  Wilson's  Division, 
comprising  three  brigades  of  cavalry,  with  one  battery,  while 
on  our  side  the  fight  was  maintained  by  one  brigade  alone. 
In  this  engagement  Company  B  lost  in  killed  John  Smith 
and  William  Averiil,  and  Phil  Copeland,  Jimmie  Crane, 
Daniel  Dovenberger,  Crocket  Eddins,  Duck  English,  Abe 
Gordon,  Charlie  Henderson,  Dave  Lewis,  George  Wingard, 
and  Tom  Zombro,  wounded.  The  loss  in  our  brigade — killed, 
wounded,  and  missing — was  114.  The  Federal  report  of 
casualties  in  Wilson's  Division  shows  a  loss  of  three  officers 
and  94  men  killed,  27  officers  and  389  men  wounded,  and  10 
officers  and  187  men  missing.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  5th, 
while  we  were  driving  Wilson  in  rout  and  confusion,  General 
Gregg's  Division  came  to  his  rescue,  and  after  a  severe  con 
test  our  brigade  was  driven  back  over  the  Po,  and  encamped 
that  night  on  the  west  bank  of  that  stream. 

General  Lee,  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  says : 

"A  large  force  of  cavalry  and  artillery  on  our  right  flank 
was  driven  back  by  Rosser's  Brigade." 

General  Wilson,  in  his  report,  says: 

"  By  8  A.  M.  the  Second  Brigade,  with  the  First  Vermont 
Cavalry,  Colonel  Preston  commanding,  in  advance,  had 
arrived  at  Craig's  Meeting-House.  Just  beyond  they  encoun 
tered  the  enemy's  cavalry,  Rosser's  Brigade,  and  after  a  very 
sharp  fight  and  several  handsome  charges,  drove  it  rapidly 


204  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

back  a  distance  of  two  miles,  taking  some  prisoners.  About 
noon  Chapman's  ammunition  became  exhausted,  and,  fear 
ing  to  press  the  pursuit  too  far,  I  directed  him  to  hold  the 
position  he  then  occupied  and  .observe  closely  the  movements 
of  the  enemy's  troops.  Having  observed  the  menacing  dis 
position  of  the  enemy  in  front  of  Chapman's  Brigade,  I 
directed  him  to  collect  his  dismounted  men  and  be  prepared 
to  fall  back  if  the  enemy  should  press  him  too  severely.  Soon 
after  this,  having  received  reinforcements,  the  enemy  ad 
vanced  and  compelled  Chapman  to  retire.  It  was  now 
apparent  that  the  rebel  force  was  considerably  superior  to 
ours,  and,  being  short  of  ammunition,  I  directed  Chapman  to 
fall  back  rapidly  beyond  the  Meeting-House,  and  reform  in 
rear  of  the  First  Brigade.  My  headquarters  having  been 
located  at  Mrs.  Faulkner's  house,  when  the  rebels  arrived  at 
that  place,  my  escort,  composed  of  about  50  men  of  the 
Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Long, 
Third  Indiana  Cavalry,  gave  them  a  severe  check,  and  in  con 
junction  with  a  heavy  fire  from  Pennington's  and  Fitzhugh's 
batteries,  enabled  everything  to  withdraw  from  the  main 
road  to  the  position  occupied  by  the  First  Brigade.  I  had 
scarcely  arrived  there,  however,  when  I  was  informed  by  Col 
onel  Bryan  that  the  enemy  had  made  his  appearance  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  forenoon  in  his  rear,  on  the  road  to  Parker's 
Store,  and  that  none  of  my  couriers  to  General  Meade  had 
succeeded  in  getting  through.  Surprised  at  this,  and  fearing 
for  the  safety  of  my  command,  I  immediately  determined  to 
withdraw  by  a  blind  road  by  Tod's  Tavern  to  Chancellors- 
ville.  I  had  scarcely  taken  this  resolution,  when  I  perceived 
that  the  enemy  was  pushing  rapidly  down  the  Catharpin  road 
in  the  same  direction.  The  march  was  begun  at  once;  the 
Second  Brigade  in  advance,  followed  the  batteries  and  the 
First  Brigade.  The  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  W.  P.  Brinton  commanding,  was  left  to  cover 
the  rear.  The  main  column  crossed  the  Po  near  its  head,  and 
struck  the  Catharpin  road  just  beyond  Corbin's  Bridge.  It 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

had  scarcely  got  upon  the  road,  when  the  rebels  made  their 
appearance  on  the  hill  west  of  the  bridge.  I  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  road  with  my  escort  just  in  time  to  prevent 
being  cut  off.  The  rear-guard  found  the  road  occupied  by  the 
enemy,  but  Colonel  Brinton  made  three  brilliant  and  deter 
mined  charges,  breaking  the  enemy's  cavalry,  but  finding  he 
could  not  succeed  in  getting  through  without  heavy  loss,  he 
struck  off  to  the  left  and  joined  the  division  late  in  the  even 
ing.  At  Tod's  Tavern  I  found  Brigadier-General  Gregg,  with 
his  division,  and,  passing  behind  him,  formed  my  command  to 
assist  in  holding  the  place.  Gregg  moved  promptly  out, 
attacked  the  enemy,  and  after  a  sharp  fight,  repulsed  him." 

From  General  Wilson's  report  it  will  be  seen  that  our 
brigade,  three  regiments  and  a  battalion  of  cavalry,  had  re 
pulsed  his  whole  division  of  cavalry  and  driven  it  in  rout 
beyond  the  Po,  and  he  was  obliged  to  re-form  his  command  in 
rear  of  Gregg,  and  then  with  these  two  divisions,  comprising 
17  regiments  and  six  batetries,  they  had  driven  us  back,  after 
a  severe  fight,  across  the  river. 

General  Davies,  of  Gregg's  Division,  in  his  report,  says  : 

44  On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  we  marched  to  Tod's  Tavern, 
and  on  arriving  there,  relieved  the  Third  Division.  We 
fought  until  dark,  and  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy.  Lost 
6 1  men,  mostly  from  the  First  New  Jersey  and  First  Massa 
chusetts  Cavalry." 

General  Gregg  says  these  two  regiments  lost  91  men  in 
this  engagement. 

Colonel  John  W.  Kester,  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  in  his 
report,  says : 

"  When  we  arrived  at  a  village  called  Tod's  Tavern,  we 
met  the  Third  Cavalry  Division,  commanded  by  General  Wil 
son,  rapidly  retreating  before  the  enemy's  cavalry  in  a  very 
disordered  state.  General  Davies's  Brigade  was  immediately 
thrown  forward,  and,  having  rapidly  moved  a  half-mile,  we 


2G6  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

met  the  advance  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  pressing  forward  on 
the  rear  of  General  Wilson.  Captain  Hart,  with  the  first 
squadron,  was  ordered  to  charge,  which  he  did  with  such 
impetuosity  that  the  enemy  in  turn  were  routed,  and  the 
gallant  first  squadron  pressed  them  back  on  their  main  body, 
until  'they  in  turn  were  met  by  the  charge  of  a  rebel  regiment, 
which  again  turned  the  tide  of  battle.  At  this  critical  junc 
ture,  I  hastened  to  his  support  with  three  squadrons  of  my 
regiment,  the  remaining  two  being  sent  on  the  flanks.  Hastily 
forming  these  squadrons  in  line  of  battle,  the  whole  line 
moved  forward  and  gave  the  enemy  such  a  sharp  volley,  fol 
lowed  by  a  rapid  fire  at  will,  that  they  desisted  from  their 
charge  and  endeavored  to  keep  back  the  advancing  line  of  my 
regiment,  but  without  success.  Forward  we  moved,  as 
steadily  as  a  parade,  the  rebels  endeavoring  to  check  us  with 
showers  of  canister,  but  with  no  avail;  and  they  hastily 
limbered  up  their  guns  and  fell  back,  just  in  time  to  prevent 
their  capture." 

The  Laurel  Brigade,  in  this  the  opening  fight  of  the  cam 
paign,  had  covered  itself  with  glory  and  well  merited  its 
laurels.  The  infantry  of  Lee's  army  was  also  engaged  on  the 
5th,  on  our  left,  and  the  fight  along  the  whole  line  was  severe; 
the  Confederate  side  attacking  and  gradually  gaining  ground. 
This  was  the  opening  of  the  grandest  campaign  of  the  war, 
and  one  in  which  General  Lee  showed  himself  the  foremost 
and  greatest  of  the  masters  of  war.  On  the  Federal  side 
Grant  had  an  army  6f  130,000,  while  the  Confederate  force 
under  Lee  did  not  number  over  50,000.  During  the  cam 
paign  General  Grant  received  reinforcements  estimated  at 
100,000,  while  Lee  received  not  more  than  10,000.  The  loss 
on  the  Federal  side  from  the  Wilderness  to  the  James  was 
largely  in  excess  of  Lee's  entire  army.  But  while  there  was 
great  disparity  in  loss,  it  was  evident  after  a  few  days'  fight 
ing  that  the  days  of  the  Confederacy  were  numbered.  The 
tactics  of  Grant  were  different  from  those  of  any  of  his  pre 
decessors.  At  Spotsylvania  and  Malvern  Hill,  though  he 


C.  J.  Manning1. 


208  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

had  suffered  greater  losses  and  was  more  completely  repulsed 
than  either  McClellan,  Burnside,  or  Hooker,  he  did  not  re 
treat,  but  continued  to  hurl  his  broken  columns  against  our 
impregnable  lines,  merely  moving  slowly  by  the  left  flank. 

Our  losses  in  the  various  engagements  were  comparatively 
small,  biit  our  supplies  were  exhausted  and  recruits  could  not 
be  obtained.  Though  the  future  looked  gloomy  and  our  de 
struction  seemed  inevitable,  the  morale  of  our  army  was  never 
better  or  its  courage  more  pronounced. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  Rosser's  Adjutant-General, 
Emmet,  having  been  wounded  on  the  preceding  day,  I  was 
assigned  to  duty  on  his  staff.  General  Stuart,  with  the  rest 
of  Hampton's  Division,  and  the  divisions  of  Fitz  and  W.  H. 
F.  Lee  having  joined  us  near  Tod's  Tavern,  and  Sheridan 
having  concentrated  his  cavalry  corps  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
same  place,  the  fight  was  renewed  with  great  vigor,  lasting 
all  day,  both  sides  fighting  mostly  on  foot,  and  neither  gain 
ing  a  decisive  advantage. 

In  this  clay's  engagement  Company  B  lost  Lieutenant 
Washington,  Phil  Terrill,  and  Bob  Craighill  wounded,  anr1 
the  company  now  being  without  a  commissioned  officer,  I 
was  relieved  from  staff  duty  and  returned  to  its  command. 

General  Sheridan,  in  his  report  at  n  A.  M.  of  the  6th,  says: 

"  My  cavalry  has  been  engaged,  and  is  now  engaged, 
heavily  at  Tod's  Tavern  and  on  the  Brock  road  in  front  of  the 
Furnaces,  three  or  fqur  miles.  It  is  reported  that  there  is 
infantry  in  their  front.  There  is  no  infantry  on  the  Brock 
road.  Every  attack  made  on  the  cavalry  so  far  has  been  hand 
somely  repulsed." 

But  at  2  :2O  P.  M.  he  sends  the  following  order  to  General 
Gregg : 

'  The  General  commanding  directs  that  yon  fall  back  from 
your  present  position  at  Tod's  Tavern  and  relieve  General 
Wilson's  Division,  now  occupying  Piney  Grove  church  and 
Alrich's." 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  209 

During  the  day  the  infantry  on  our  left  was  heavily  en 
gaged,  and  succeeded  in  turning  General  Hancock's  left  and 
throwing  that  wing  of  the  Federal  army  into  confusion. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  our  cavalry  advanced  and  the 
fight  was  renewed  with  great  vigor,  and  lasted  until  late  in 
the  afternoon,  without  decisive  result,  excepting  the  'advance 
of  our  lines.  There  were  several  hand-to-hand  conflicts 
during  the  day.  Our  brigade  and  the  enemy's  force  in  our 
front  occupied  elevations,  with  depressions  between,  about 
a  half-mile  apart,  and  the  artillery  on  both  sides  were  firing 
rapidly,  when  the  enemy,  moving  two  mounted  regiments  to 
their  front,  made  a  charge  on  our  guns.  General  Rosser  at 
once  ordered  a  charge  of  White's  Battalion,  and  the  Twelfth 
Cavalry,  and  the  opposite  forces  met  midway  between  the 
lines,  and  a  hand-to-hand  conflict  ensued  and  the  enemy  were 
repulsed.  In  this  charge,  George  Crayton,  of  Company  B,  a 
most  fearless  soldier,  meeting  a  brave  Yankee,  they  slashed 
each  other  with  the  saber,  then  clinched  and  rolled  to  the 
ground.  Crayton  was  as  wiry  and  agile  as  he  was  brave,  andr 
landing  his  adversary  beneath,  compelled'  his  surrender,  and 
brought  him  off  a  prisoner.  This  is  but  one  instance  of  man3% 
for  in  this  combat  there  were  many  deeds  of  daring  on  both 
sides.  Probably  in  no  encounter  during  the  war  was  wit 
nessed  such  a  close  conflict  maintained  for  such  a  length  of 
time.  Colonel  \Yhite  and  his  battalion,  who  united  with  our 
regiment  in  this  charge,  were  as  brave  as  Leonidas  and  his 
band  of  patriots,  always  noted  fighters,  needing  only  the  in 
spiring  words  of  their  leader,  "Come  on, my  Comanches,"  to* 
follow  that  leader,  even  into  the  jaws  of  death.  They  did 
their  part  nobly. 

On  the  8th,  the  Federal  cavalry  disappeared  from  our  front 
and  concentrated  near  Alrich's,  on  the  Plank  road  to  Frede- 
ricksburg,  and  on  the  day  following  started  onjts  raid  on. 
Richmond.  General  Stuart,  with  his  cavalry  corps,  except 
ing  our  brigade,  started  in  pursuit.  On  the  same  day  I  was 
directed,  with  20  men  from  Company  B,  to  move  down  the 
14 


2io  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

road  beyond  Tod's  Tavern  and  ascertain  the  whereabouts  of 
the  enemy.  Passing  through  a  woods  about  two  miles  be 
yond  our  picket  line,  we  came  in  view  of  t^e  enemy's  breast 
works,  which  appeared  deserted,  but  as  we  neared  them,  a 
line  of  infantry  pickets  rose  up  and  poured  a  volley  into  our 
squad,  wounding  two  men.  As  our  force  was  inadequate  to 
attack,  we  hastily  retreated  to  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and 
halted  to  ascertain  their  strength  and  also  to  recover  my  hat, 
lost  in  wheeling  about,  when  the  enemy  opened  on  our  party. 
The  hat  had  been  sent  me  by  some  friends  in  Jefferson,  and 
^vas  ornamented  with  a  fine  black  plume.  I  was  not  willing  to 
relinquish  it  without  an  effort  to  regain  it.  It  lay  about  two 
hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  enemy's  breastworks,  and  about 
twenty  yards  from  the  edge  of  the  woods  in  which  we  had 
halted.  Dismounting,  I  gave  my  horse  in  charge  of  one  of 
our  men,  also  my  saber  and  pistol,  and  stealthily  approaching 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  made  a  dash  for  the  hat,  and,  grabbing 
it  up,  ran  back  to  the  wood  amid  a  shower  of  balls,  none  of 
which  took  effect.  Mounting,  I  reported  to  camp  with  the 
information  obtained. 

Grant  was  now  moving  rapidly  towards  Spotsylvania 
Courthouse,  and  our  infantry,  to  confront  him,  moved 
speedily  in  the  same  direction,  leaving  our  brigade  to  protect 
the  left  wing  of  our  army.  Sheridan,  with  his  cavalry  corps, 
continued  his  march  towards  Richmond,  and  on  the  nth, 
General  Stuart  confronted  him  with  a  portion  of  his  corps 
at  Yellow  Tavern,  about  six  miles  from  Richmond,  where  in 
a  severe  engagement  our  forces  were  repulsed,  and  General 
Stuart  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  in  Richmond  on  the  fol 
lowing  day.  He  was  a  dashing,  brave  officer,  who  never 
failed  to  fight,  no  matter  how  great  the  odds  against  him.  He 
had  a  genius  for  escaping  with  success  from  tight  places. 
General  Wade  Hampton  succeeded  him  as  cavalry  corps  com 
mander. 

Our  brigade  was  for  several  days  engaged  in  harassing  the 
enemy's  right.  On  the  evening  of  the  i4th  we  passed  in  rear 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  211 

of  Hancock's  Corps,  drove  off  the  guards  of  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps  Hospital,  releasing  our  prisoners  and  captured  many 
of  the  enemy,  but  leaving  those  badly  wounded,  with  nurses, 
attendants,  and  surgeons. 

General  Hancock,  reporting  this  affair  to  General  Meade, 
says : 

"  It  is  reliable  that  the  Fifth  Corps  Hospital  has  been  en 
tered  by  the  enemy.  General  Rosser  is  said  to  be  in  command 
of  a  brigade  of  cavalry.  He  left  the  men  attendants,  who  had 
on  badges,  took  away  the  rest,  and  all  the  rebels  who  could 
walk.  There  were  270  patients  left/" 

The  brigade  continued,  from  day  to  day,  following  up  the 
enemy's  move  by  the  left  rlank,  breaking  the  monotony  now 
and  then  with  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy's  infantry,  until  the 
28th,  when  Haws'  Shop  was  reached,  and  a  spirited  contest 
ensued  between  two  divisions  of  Sheridan's  Corps  and  Ros- 
ser's  and  Butler's  brigades  of  our  cavalry.  In  the  earlier  part 
of  the  day,  we  drove  the  enemy's  cavalry  back  on  their  infan 
try,  but  late  in  the  afternoon  the  enemy,  being  heavily  rein 
forced,  regained  a  portion  of  the  ground. 

General  Grant,  in  his  report  of  May  29th,  says : 

'  Yesterday  two  divisions  of  our  cavalry  had  a  severe  en 
gagement  with  the  enemy  south  of  Haws'  Shop,  driving  them 
about  a  mile  on  what  appears  to  be  his  new  line.  \Ye  will  find 
out  all  about  it  to-day.  Our  loss  in  the  cavalry  engagement 
was  350  killed  and  wounded,  of  whom  but  44  are  ascertained 
to  be  killed." 

And  General  Sheridan,  in  his  report,  says : 

"  I  was  immediately  ordered  to  demonstrate  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Mechanicsville,  in  order  to  find  out  the  enemy's  where 
abouts,  and  therefore  directed  Gregg's  Division  to  move  out 
via  Haws'  Shop,  on  the  Mechanicsville  road,  but  when  about 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  advance  of  Haws'  Shop,  it  encoun- 


212  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

tered  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which  was  dismounted  and  behind 
a  temporary  breastwork  of  rails.  Gregg  vigorously  attacked 
this  force,  which  appeared  to  be  the  rebel  cavalry  corps  and  a 
brigade  of  South  Carolina  troops,  reported  4,000  strong,  armed 
with  long-range  rifles  and  commanded  by  a  Colonel  But 
ler.  These  Carolinians  fought  very  gallantly  in  this  their  first 
fight,  judging  from  the  number  of  their  dead  and  wounded, 
and  prisoners  captured.  The  most  determined  efforts  were 
made  on  both  sides  in  this  unequal  contest,  and  neither  would 
give  way  until  late  in  the  evening,  when  Custer's  (Michigan) 
Brigade  was  dismounted,  formed  in  close  columns  of  attack, 
and  charged  with  Gregg's  Division,  when  the  enemy  was 
driven  back,  leaving  all  his  dead  and  his  line  of  temporary 
works  in  our  possession.  This  was  a  hard-contested  engage 
ment,  with  heavy  loss,  for  the  number  of  troops  engaged  on 
both  sides,  and  was  fought  almost  immediately  in  front  of  the 
infantry  of  our  army,  which  was  busily  occupied  throwing  up 
breastworks." 

General  Sheridan  has  most  justly  accorded  praise  to  our 
South  Carolina  comrades  in  this  fight.  They  behaved  like 
veterans,  although  receiving  their  "  baptism  of  fire."  It  was 
during  this  engagement  that  our  regiment  was  ordered  to 
support  our  batteries  on  the  left  of  our  line,  and  while  thus 
engaged,  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  guns  became  so  hot  that  we 
were  directed  to  dismount  and  hold  our  horses.  Some  of  the 
men  hugged  their  dear  old  mother  earth,  and  seemed  in 
clined  to  rest  within  her  bosom,  to  shield  themselves  from  the 
bursting  shell.  Looking  around  at  Company  B,  I  saw  John 
Wolfe  lying  in  a  little  crevice  in  the  ground,  face  downwards, 
apparently  much  alarmed.  Just  then  a  shell  bursting  in  our 
front,  its  fragments  scattered  through  the  company,  without 
damage,  a  piece  landing  near  my  feet.  Picking  up  the  frag 
ment,  I  playfully  cast  it  over  on  Wolfe.  With  a  cry  of  anguish 
he  leaped  up,  left  his  horse,  ran  back  through  the  pines,  and 
all  my  efforts  to  stop  his  retreat  were  futile.  Yet  Wolfe  on 
the  second  day's  fight  in  the  Wilderness,  in  a  charge  on  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  213 

enemy's  breastworks,  had  acted  with  more  than  ordinary 
courage.  It  is  very  trying  to  stand  under  a  severe  fire,  and 
still  harder  to  retreat  in  order  under  it.  I  remember  a  gallant 
soldier  in  the  company  once  telling  me  never  to  order  him  to 
retreat,  as  he  could  not  retreat  without  disgracing  himself. 

While  our  arms  in  this  campaign  had  been  crowned  with 
success,  we  had  to  mourn  the  loss  of  our  brave  corps  com 
mander  and  many  gallant  comrades,  but  they  had  not  lived 
or  died  in  vain.  Their  noble  example  remained  with  us. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Let  this  truth  suffice; 

The  brave  meets  danger,  and  the  coward  flies: 
To  die  or  conquer,  proves  a  hero's  heart; 
And  know  this,  he  knew  a  soldier's  part. 
Without  a  sign,  his  sword  the  brave  man  draws, 
And  asks  no  omen,  but  his  country's  cause. 

Homer. 

On  the  morning  of  the  ist  of  June,  having-  learned  that  the 
enemy's  cavalry  had  passed  through  Hanover,  moving  in  the 
direction  of  Ashland,  General  Rosser,  with  the  Eleventh  and 
Twelfth  Cavalry  moved  off  to  learn  the  enemy's  whereabouts. 
Striking  the  Ashland  road  about  two  miles  east  of  the  station, 
we  discovered  the  enemy's  tracks  passing  westward  in  the 
direction  of  the  station.  General  Rosser,  closing  up  the  regi 
ments,  prepared  for  an  attack.  The  Twelfth  held  the  front, 
and  received  orders  to  move  forward,  charge  the  enemy  as 
soon  as  they  appeared  in  sight,  and  ride  them  down.  Com 
pany  B  was  ordered  to  take  the  advance  of  the  regiment  with 
similar  orders.  Reaching  a  point  about  a  mile  from  Ashland, 
we  discovered  the  enemy,  without  rear-guard,  with  a  regi 
ment  of  led  horse's,  occupying  the  rear  of  the  column,  the 
men  having  gone  forward.  The  task  was  an  easy  one.  A 
charge  was  ordered,  the  company  pushed  forward,  riding 
through  a  regiment  of  led  horses,  capturing  a  large  number 
of  prisoners  and  horses,  and  was  soon  so  weighed  down  with 
booty  that  its  effectiveness  was  destroyed. 

In  this  charge  the  enemy  had  been  pressed  forward  to 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  station  before  our  men  received  a 
check.  This  halt  was  for  a  few  moments,  when  the  Twelfth 
and  Eleventh  regiments  coming  up,  the  enemy  again  broke 
and  was  driven  back  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  station. 
Here  a  lively  contest  ensued,  which  lasted  for  an  hour  or 

[214] 


i 


Wm.  F.  Manning. 


216  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

more.  It  seems  that  W.  H.  F.  Lee's  Division  had  commenced 
the  attack  in  the  enemy's  front  just  prior  to  our  arrival  in  the 
rear,  and  the  enemy's  movements  and  plans  were  made  to 
meet  this  force  and  its  rear  left  exposed.  General  Lee's  forces 
now  unking  with  ours,  a  determined  assault  was  made  on  the 
enemy's  position  at  Ashland,  the  enemy's  lines  were  broken, 
and  they  were  soon  in  rapid  retreat,  leaving  their  dead  and 
wounded  in  our  hands. 

In  this  engagement  Billy  Locke,  a  youthful  member  of 
Company  B,  was  killed.  He  had  just  returned  from  a  visit 
to  his  home,  in  Jefferson,  and  that  morning  reported  for  duty. 
When  Company  B  was  ordered  forward  and  the  contest 
seemed  near  at  hand,  he  rode  to  the  front  of  the  company,  and 
requested  to  ride  with  the  Orderly  Sergeant  and  myself,  say 
ing  he  had  a  presentiment  he  would  be  killed  in  this  fight, 
and  wanted  to  die  in  the  front  rank.  I  made  light  of  his  pre 
sentiment,  but  told  him  he  could  ride  with  us,  if  he  desired 
it.  When  the  enemy  made  its  first  stand,  Locke  was  among 
the  foremost,  and  fell,  pierced  through  the  breast  by  a  ball. 
He  was  a  gallant  young  soldier,  and  a  favorite  among  his 
comrades. 

General  Lee,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

"  Yesterday  afternoon  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  reported 
to  be  advancing  by  the  left  of  our  line  toward  Hanover  Court 
house  and  Ashland.  General  Hampton,  with  Rosser's  Bri 
gade,  proceeded  to  meet  them.  Rosser  fell  upon  their  rear, 
and  charged  down  the  road  toward  Ashland,  bearing  every 
thing  before  him.  His  progress  was  arrested  at  Ashland  by 
the  intrenchments  of  the  enemy,  when  he  changed  his  direc 
tion  and  advanced  up  the  Fredericksburg  railroad.  General 
W.  H.  F.  Lee  came  up  at  this  time  with  a  part  of  his  division, 
and  a  joint  attack  was  made.  The  enemy  was  quickly  driven 
from  the  place  and  pursued  towards  Hanover  Courthouse 
until  dark." 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Hampton,  in  a  note  to  General  Rosser,  says : 

"  General  Lee  directs  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  note  of  5  130  A.  M.,  and  express  his  gratification  at  the 
handsome  conduct  of  Rosser's  command  and  his  thanks  for 
their  having  so  gallantly  defeated  the  enemy." 

General  Wilson  reports  to  General  Sheridan : 

"  Mclntosh  is  at  Ashland,  where  he  was  attacked  in  the 
rear  by  a  force  from  some  unexpected  quarter.  He  is  now 
hotly  engaged,  and  I  am  endeavoring  to  relieve  him  by  send 
ing  troops  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the  rear.  I  think  we  shall 
succeed,  and  return  by  the  road  from  the  bridge  through 
Hanover  Courthouse,  or,  possibly,  across  to  Northside." 

In  his  postscript  to  his  official  report  to  General  Meade,  of 
date  of  June  2d,  he  shows  how  well  he  got  off. 

"  I  was  compelled  to  leave  30  or  40  wounded  at  Ashland, 
two  officers,  for  the  lack  of  ambulances.  Would  it  be  proper 
to  send  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a  train  of  ambulances,  for  per 
mission  to  bring  them  in?  " 

While  unable  to  fix  the  enemy's  loss,  I  know  it  was  large 
in  killed  and  wounded;  and  a  large  number  of  prisoners  and 
horses  were  captured.  Our  loss  was  small. 

On  the  Qth,  General  Hampton  having  received  information 
that  Sheridan  was.  moving  to  the  rear  of  our  left  flank, 
marched  with  Fitz  Lee's  and  Butlers  divisions  to  intercept 
him,  and  on  the  nth  encountered  his  forces  near  Trevillian's 
Station.  WThen  the  fight  began,  Rosser's  Brigade  was  moving 
in  the  direction  of  Gordonsville,  but,  hearing  firing  in  our 
rear,  he  hastily  counter-marched  in  the  direction  of  the  battle 
field.  About  a  mile  from  Trevillian,  the  enemy  (Custers 
Brigade)  was  discovered  charging  across  our  roadway  into 
the  rear  of  the  South  Carolina  Brigade.  Rosser  immediately 
ordered  a  charge,  and  with  White's  Battalion  in  front,  bore 
down  on  Custers  line,  splitting  it  in  twain,  routing  them, 
recapturing  our  men  and  horses  taken  by  them,  and  securing 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

a  large  number  of  prisoners,  six  caissons  and  several  ambu 
lances.  The  fight  continued  without  intermission  all  day, 
and  that  night  we  remained  in  line  of  battle.  Early  next 
morning  the  fight  was  renewed  with  great  vigor,  the  enemy 
making.repeated  assaults  on  our  line,  all  of  which  were  hand 
somely  repulsed.  Late  in  the  afternoon  our  troops  advanced 
all  along  the  line,  and  the  enemy  were  driven  back  in  rout  and 
confusion,  and  only  night  saved  him  from  signal  defeat.  Pre 
parations  were  made  for  a  renewal  of  the  attack  in  the  morn 
ing,  but  during  the  night  the  enemy  disappeared  from  our 
front,  and  got  several  hours'  start  of  our  troops.  In  the 
morning  our  forces  pursued  and  captured  many  prisoners 
along  the  line  of  retreat. 

General  Hampton,  in  his  official  report,  says: 

"At  daylight  my  division  was  ready  to  attack  at  Trevillian's, 
Butler's  and  Young's  brigades  being  held  for  that  purpose, 
while  Rosser  was  sent  to  cover  a  road  on  my  left.  Soon  after 
these  dispositions  were  made.  General  Lee  sent  to  inform  me 
that  he  was  moving  out  to  attack.  Butler  was  immediately 
advanced,  and  soon  met  the  enemy,  whom  he  drove  hand 
somely,  until  he  was  heavily  reinforced  and  took  position 
behind  works.  Young's  Brigade  was  sent  to  reinforce  Butler, 
and  these  two  brigades  pushed  the  enemy  steadily  back,  and  I 
hoped  to  effect  a  junction  with  Lee's  Division  at  Clayton's 
Store  in  a  short  time;  but  while  we  were  driving  the  enemy 
in  front,  it  was  reporte'd  to  me  that  a  force  had  appeared  in 
my  rear.  Upon  investigation,  I  found  this  report  correct.  The 
brigade  which  had  been  engaging  General  Lee,  having  with 
drawn  from  his  front,  passed  his  left  and  got  in  my  rear.  This 
forced  me  to  withdraw  in  front  and  take  up  a  new  line.  This 
was  soon  done,  and  the  brigade  (Custer's  which  had  attacked 
me  in  my  rear  was  severely  punished,  for  I  recalled  Rosser's 
Brigade,  which  charged  them  in  front,  driving  them  back 
against  General  Lee,  who  was  moving  up  to  Trevillian,  and 
captured  many  prisoners.  In  this  sudden  attack  in  my  rear 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  219 

the  enemy  captured  some  of  my  led  horses,  a  few  ambulances 
and  wagons,  and  three  caissons.  These  were  ail  recaptured 
by  Generals  Rosser  and  Lee,  the  latter  taking,  in  addition, 
four  caissons  and  the  headquarter  wagon  of  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  Custer.  My  new  line  being  established,  I  directed  Gen 
eral  Lee  to  join  me  with  his  command  as  soon  as  possible. 
The  enemy  tried  to  dislodge  me  from  my  new  position,  but 
failed,  and  the  relative  positions  of  the  opposing  forces  re 
mained  the  same  during  the  night/' 

The  next  day  at  12  M.,  General  Lee  reported  to  me,  and 
his  division  was  placed  so  as  to  support  mine,  in  case  the 
enemy  attacked.  At  3  130  P.  M.  a  heavy  attack  was  made 
on  my  left,  where  Butler's  Brigade  was  posted.  Being  re 
pulsed,  the  enemy  made  a  succession  of  determined  assaults, 
which  were  all  handsomely  repulsed.  In  the  mean  time.  Gen 
eral  Lee  had,  by  my  directions,  reinforced  Butler's  left  with 
\Yickham's  Brigade,  while  he  took  Lomax's  Brigade  across 
to  Gordonsville  road,  so  as  to  strike  the  enemy  on  his  right 
flank.  This  movement  was  successful,  and  the  enemy,  who 
had  been  heavily  punished  in  front,  when  attacked  on  his 
flank,  fell  back  in  confusion,  leaving  his  dead  and  a  portion 
of  his  wounded  on  the  field.  I  immediately  gave  orders  to 
follow  him  up,  but  it  was  daylight  before  these  orders  could 
be  carried  out,  the  fight  not  having  ended  until  10  P.  M.  In 
this  interval  the  enemy  had  withdrawn  entirely,  leaving  his 
dead  scattered  over  the  whole  field,  with  about  125  wounded 
on  the  ground  and  in  temporary  hospitals.  ^Ye  captured,  in 
addition  to  the  wounded,  in  the  fight  and  the  pursuit  570 
prisoners.  My  loss  in  my  own  division  was  59  killed,  258 
wounded,  and  295  missing." 

General  R.  E.  Lee  writes  General  Hampton : 

"General,  your  note  of  to-day  from  Phillips's  house  has  just 
been  received.  I  am  rejoiced  at  your  success.  I  thank  you 
and  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command  for  the  gallantry 
and  determination  with  which  they  have  assaulted  Sheridan's 
forces  and  caused  his  expedition  to  end  in  defeat." 


220  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Sheridan,  in  his  official  report  of  this  engagement, 
says : 

"On  the  morning  of  the  nth,  General*Torbert,  with  his 
division  and  Colonel  Gregg's  Brigade  of  General  Gregg's 
Division,  attacked  the  enemy.  After  an  obstinate  contest, 
drove  him  from  successive  lines  of  breastworks,  through  an 
almost  impenetrable  forest,  back  on  Trevillian's  Station.  In 
the  mean  time,  General  Custer  was  ordered  with  his  brigade 
to  proceed  by  a  country  road  so  as  to  reach  the  station  in 
rear  of  the  enemy's  column.  On  his  arrival  at  this  point  the 
enemy  broke  into  a  complete  rout,  leaving  his  dead  and  nearly 
all  his  wounded  in  our  hands;  also,  20  officers,  500  men,  and 
300  horses." 

On  the  I2th  he  says:  "I  directed  General  Torbert  to 
advance  with  his  division  and  General  Davies's  Brigade  of 
General  Gregg's  Division  in  the  direction  of  Gordonsville  and 
attack  the  enemy,  who  had  concentrated  and  been  reinforced 
by  infantry  during  the  night,  and  had  also  constructed  rifle- 
pits  at  a  point  about  five  miles  from  Gordonsville.  The  ad 
vance  was  made,  but  as  the  enemy's  position  was  found  too 
strong  to  assault,  no  general  attack  was  made.  On  the 
extreme  right  of  our  lines  a  portion  of  the  Reserve  Brigade 
carried  the  enemy's  works  twice,  and  was  twice  driven  there 
from  by  infantry.  Night  closed  the  contest.  I  regret  my 
inability  to  carry  out  your  instructions." 

'  The  cavalry  engagement  of  the  I2th  was  by  far  the  most 
brilliant  one  of  the  present  campaign.  The  enemy's  loss  was 
very  heavy.  They  lost  the  following-named  officers  in  killed 
and  wounded :  Colonel  McAllister,  commanding  regiment, 
killed;  Brigadier-General  Rosser,  commanding  brigade, 
wounded;  Colonel  Aiken,  commanding  regiment,  wounded; 
Colonel  Custer,  commanding  regiment,  wounded.  My  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  will  be  about  575.  I  captured  and  have 
now  with  me  370  prisoners  of  war,  including  20  commissioned 
officers.  My  loss  in  captured  will  not  exceed  160.  These 


Frank  J.  Manning1. 


222  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

were  principally  of  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry.  This  regi 
ment  gallantly  charged  down  the  Gordonsville  road,  captur 
ing  500  horses  and  800  men,  but  was  finally  surrounded,  and 
had  to  give  them  up."  » 

General  Torbert,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

"  In  approaching  the  station,  General  Custer  found  the 
enemy's  led  horses,  trains  and  caissons  retreating  rapidly  in 
the  direction  of  Gordonsville  and  Charlottesviile,  and  he  im 
mediately  ordered  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  Colonel  Alger, 
to  pursue,  which  they  did  in  a  very  gallant  manner,  capturing 
about  1,500  horses,  six  caissons,  and  a  number  of  wagons. 
The  regiment  was  soon  divided  into  small  parties,  taking  care 
of  the  captured  property,  and  the  enemy  sent  a  still  stronger 
force  after  them.  They  were  obliged  to  relinquish  their  cap 
tives,  and  get  back  the  best  way  they  could,  and  the  greater 
part  of  this  regiment  came  in.  Then  Colonel  Alger,  with  a 
few  men,  gallantly  cut  their  way  through  a  column  of  the 
enemy  to  our  lines  that  afternoon.  General  Custer  reached 
the  station  about  the  time  the  enemy  were  driven  in  such  a 
confused  mass  from  the  front  of  General  Merritt  and  Colonel 
Davies,  so  the  enemy  in  a  disorganized  mass  passed  through 
some  intervals  in  his  line,  passing  to  his  rear,  carried  off  his 
pack  trains,  headquarters  wagon,  and  five  caissons." 

Pretty  good  work  for  a  disorganized  mass.  General  Torbert 
reports  his  loss  at  62  officers  and  1,186  men,  yet  Sheridan 
only  reports  his  in  his /two  divisions  at  1,007. 

Colonel  Alger,  of  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  an  officer 
very  actively  and  prominently  engaged  in  this  fight,  in  his 
report  gives  a  very  graphic  account  of  his  part  of  the  engage 
ment.  He  says : 

"  The  regiment  was  immediately  closed  up,  and,  charging 
down  the  Gordonsville  road,  the  enemy  was  found  in  force. 
After  a  desperate  resistance  for  a  moment,  he  was  routed, 
and  the  fight  became  a  running  one,  and  was  kept  up  for  a 
distance  of  four  miles.  In  this  charge  800  prisoners,  1,500 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  223 

horses,  one  stand  of  colors,  six  caissons,  40  ambulances,  and 
50  army  wagons  were  captured  and  meh  left  guarding  them. 
Many  prisoners  broke  their  arms  upon  surrendering.     In  this 
charge  I  was  accompanied  by  Captain  Brewster,  Commissary 
of  Subsistence,  and  Lieutenant  Stranaham,  Aide-de-Camp  of 
General  Custer's  staff,  the  latter  of  whom  was  sent  back  with 
information  for  the  General  as  soon  as  the  enemy  was  routed. 
After  charging  about  three  miles,  Captain  Brewster  was  sent 
back  to  ask  for  support  and  soon  returned  to  me.  reporting 
the  enemy  in  heavy  force  between  us  and  the  brigade;  also, 
that  they  were  attacking  my  men  who  had  been  left  guarding 
prisoners  and  horses.     Moving  back  rapidly,  I  came  upon  the 
enemy  in  large    force,  who    had    come    in    upon    my  right 
(Rossers  Brigade),  attacked  and  and  captured  many  of  my 
men,  and  were  engaging  the  brigade  in  front.     I  also  dis 
covered  from  the  firing  that  the  brigade  was  attacked  in  the 
rear  and  its  left.    Having  but  40  men  with  Captains  Magoffin, 
Judson,  Hastings,  and  Rolls,  and  Lieutenant  Stafford,  acting 
adjutant,  and  Lieutenant  Lonsbury,  I  moved  to  my  then  right 
and  entered  a  narrow  strip  of  woods.     Here  the  enemy  were 
moving  on  each  side  of  and  very  near  us.     A  rebel  officer 
seeing  us,  rode  into  the  woods  and  asked,  '  \Yhat  command 
do  you  belong  to?  '    Captain  Judson  answered,  '  Hampton's.' 
'All  right,'  was  the  reply,  and  he  joined  his  column.     \Ye 
were,  however,    soon    discovered    and    attacked,  when    we 
moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Louisa  Courthouse,  where  we 
encountered   a   column   of    the    enemy,   which   we   charged 
through,  leaving  28  men  in  the  woods,  cut  off  from  us.     Pass 
ing  near  the  Courthouse,  we  came  into  our  hues,  near  the 
place  where  we  encamped  the  night  before,  travelling  a  dis 
tance  of  over  twenty  miles." 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day's  fight,  General  Rosser  sent 
for  Company  B  to  charge  a  battery  of  the  enemy  that  was 
enfilading  our  position,  and,  reporting  to  lum  he  led  us 
through  a  strip  of  woods  in  front  of  our  lines,  and  as  we 
debouched  into  the  open  ground  preparatory  to  the  charge, 


224  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

General  Rosser  was  wounded  in  the  knee,  and  we  were 
ordered  back,  much  to  our  gratification,  as  the  work  ahead 
appeared  to  me  a  task  of  no  easy  accomplishment.  In  this 
engagement  the  forces  were  nearly  equal,  the  enemy  being 
somewhat  the  stronger.  Sheridan  had  Torbert's  and  Gregg's 
divisions,  Merritt's  Brigade,  and  the  Sixth  United  States 
Cavalry  and  Artillery,  five  brigades  of  cavalry — 25  regiments; 
while  Hampton  had  two  divisions,  his  own  and  Fitz  Lee's, 
comprising  15  regiments,  three  legions,  and  one  battalion, 
with  artillery.  We  had  no  infantry,  as  Sheridan  reports,  and 
after  two  days'  hard  fighting  Sheridan  was  repulsed,  and 
forced  to  retreat,  acknowledging  in  his  report  to  General 
Grant  his  inability  to  carry  out  his  instructions. 

On  the  morning  of  the  I3th,  our  brigade  moved  in  pursuit 
of  Sheridan's  retreating  forces,  taking  along  the  route  many 
prisoners,  whose  horses  had  become  too  feeble  and  jaded  to 
keep  pace  with  Sheridan's  rapid  march.  The  enemy  finally 
found  shelter  under  the  gunboats  at  the  White  House,  and 
Hampton  moved  near  Charles  City  Courthouse,  and  took  up 
position  to  await  Sheridan's  further  movements. 

On  the  24th,  our  pickets  were  driven  in  at  St.  Mary's 
Church,  and  the  enemy  advanced  to  Nance's  Shop.  Here  the 
fight  began  and  soon  became  general,  our  forces  attacking 
in  front  and  flank.  The  Twelfth  Regiment  was  with  our 
column  in  front.  After  driving  the  enemy  slowly  a  consider 
able  distance,  the  Phillips  and  Jeff.  Davis  legions  (mounted), 
with  the  Twelfth,  were, ordered  to  charge,  which  was  accord 
ingly  done  with  much  vigor,  driving  the  enemy  in  confusion 
several  miles,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  horses.  In  this 
charge  Colonel  Massie,  of  our  regiment,  was  wounded,  and  a 
spent  ball  struck  me  in  the  breast,  imbedding  itself  in  my 
flesh.  I  was  wearing  at  the  time  in  my  shirt  bosom  a  badge 
of  the  Union  Philosophical  Society  of  Dickinson  College  (of 
which  I  was  a  member  for  three  years  prior  to  the  war),  and 
which  was  formed  of  a  Maltese  cross,  surmounted  with  a 
shield.  The  force  of  the  bullet  tore  off  the  shield,  leaving 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 


225 


the  cross  in  a  distorted  shape.  Imagination  often  plays  havoc 
with  the  truth.  I  thought  my  time  had  come,  and  felt  day 
light  passing  through  me,  the  blood  trickling  down  inter 
nally,  and  I  gasping  for  breath.  John  Terrill,  who  was  near 
me,  seeing  my  pallor  and  eccentric  actions,  presumed  I  was 
wounded  mortally,  led  my  horse  back  over  a  little  declivity, 
out  of  danger  of  flying  missiles,  and,  pulling  open  my  jacket 
and  shirt,  exultantly  exclaimed,  "  Lieutenant,  you  are  not 
much  hurt,  the  ball  hasn't  gone  in,"  and,  taking  hold  of  it 
with  his  ringers,  he  pulled  it  out  and  held  it  up  to  view.  My 
spirits  revived  immediately,  blood  ceased  to  trickle,  internal 
daylight  disappeared,  I  breathed  freely,  vigor  and  strength 
returned,  and,  gathering  up  my  reins,  I  was  soon  back  in  the 
fight.  The  enemy  was  routed  and  pressed  back  to  within  a 
short  distance  of  Charles  City  Courthouse,  when  night  put  an 
end  to  our  pursuit.  We  captured  157  prisoners,  including 
one  colonel  and  12  other  commissioned  officers.  The  enemy's 
dead  and  wounded  in  considerable  number  fell  into  our  hands. 
General  Hampton,  in  his  official  report,  says : 
'  The  next  morning,  June  24th,  he  drove  in  my  picket  at 
St.  Mary's  Church,  and  advanced  beyond  Nance's  Shop.  I 
determined  to  attack  him,  and  to  this  end  I  ordered  Brigadier- 
General  Gary,  who  joined  me  that  morning,  to  move  from 
Salem  Church  around  to  Smith's  Store,  and  to  attack  on  the 
flank  as  soon  as  the  attack  in  front  commenced.  General  Lee 
left  Lomax  to  hold  the  River  road  and  brought  Wickham  to 
join  in  the  attack.  The  necessary  arrangements  having  been 
made.  General  Gary  advanced  from  Smith's  Store,  and  took 
position  near  Nance's  Shop.  The  enemy  had  in  the  mean 
time  thrown  up  strong  works  along  his  whole  line,  and  his 
position  was  a  strong  one.  As  soon  as  Gary  had  engaged 
the  enemy,  Chambliss  was  thrown  forward,  and  by  a  move 
ment  handsomely  executed  connected  with  him,  and  the 
two  brigades  were  thrown  on  the  flank  of  the  enemy.  At  the 
same  moment,  the  whole  line,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Major-General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  charged  the  works  of  the 
15 


226  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

enemy,  who,  after  fighting  stubbornly  for  a  short  time,  gave 
way,  leaving  his  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field.  This  ad 
vance  of  our  troops  was  made  in  the  face  of  a  very  heavy  fire 
of  artillery  and  musketry,  and  it  was  most  handsomely 
accomplished.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  gave  way  I  brought 
up  the  Phillips  and  Jeff.  Davis  legions  (mounted),  ordering 
them  to  charge.  This  they  did  most  gallantly,  driving  the 
enemy  for  three  miles  in  confusion.  Robins's  Battalion  and 
the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry  were  mounted  and  participated 
in  a  part  of  this  charge,  in  which  Lieutenant-Colonel  Massie, 
commanding  the  latter,  was  wounded  while  gallantly  leading 
his  men  over  the  works  of  the  enemy.  The  enemy  was  com 
pletely  routed,  and  was  pursued  to  within  two  and  one-half 
miles  of  Charles  City  Courthouse,  the  pursuit  lasting  till  10 
o'clock  at  night.  My  loss  was  six  killed  and  59  wounded  in 
.my  own  division." 

General  Sheridan,  in  his  report,  says: 

^'At  St.  Mary's  church,  Gregg  was  attacked  by  the  entire 
cavalry  corps  of  the  enemy,  and  after  a  stubborn  fight,  which 
lasted  until  after  dark,  was  forced  to  retire  in  some  confusion, 
but  without  any  loss  in  material.  This  very  creditable  engage 
ment  saved  the  train,  which  should  never  have  been  left  for 
the  cavalry  to  escort." 

General  Gregg  says : 

"  On  the  230!  the  division,  acting  as  escort  to  a  large 
wagon-train  belonging  to  the  corps  and  other  troops,  crossed 
the  Chickahominy  at  Jones  Bridge.  On  the  24th,  in  com 
pliance  with  orders  of  the  Major-General  commanding  the 
corps,  the  Second  Division  moved  from  its  camp  to  St.  Mary's 
Church,  and  there  took  position.  When  within  a  mile  of  the 
church  the  advance  of  the  Second  Brigade  found  a  small 
mounted  force  of  the  enemy.  This  was  driven  away  and  the 
lines  of  the  division  established.  The  batteries  of  the  division 
were  placed  in  commanding  positions.  During  the  morning 
and  until  after  3  P.  M.  there  was  irregular  skirmishing  at  differ- 


Wm.  S.  Mason. 


228  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ent  points  of  our  line.  A  large  force  of  the  enemy  was  known 
to  have  passed  St.  Mary's  Church,  moving  in  the  direction  of 
Haxall's,  on  the  evening  before.  Having  .received  informa 
tion  from  the  Major-General  commanding  that  circumstances 
compelled  an  alteration  of  the  dispositions  previously  ordered 
of  the  troops  under  his  command,  this  alteration  placing  the 
Second  Division  beyond  any  immediate  support,  every  dis 
position  was  made  to  resist  an  attack  of  the  enemy  should  it 
be  made.  Between  3  and  4  P.  M.  the  enemy  made  an  attack 
in  great  force  on  the  Second  Brigade,  occupying  the  right  of 
our  line.  The  attack  there  begun  extended  along  the  front 
of  the  First  Brigade  on  the  left.  It  was  very  soon  evident 
that  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  largely  superior  to  ours,  and 
that  they  were  supported  by  infantry,  but,  nothing  daunted 
by  the  display  of  strong  lines  of  an  over-confident  enemy,  our 
men  fell  upon  them  and  held  them  in  check.  The  strife  was 
earnest  now;  there  were  no  disengaged  men  on  our  side. 
Randal's  and  Dennison's  Batteries  pitched  load  after  load  of 
canister  into  the  staggering  lines  of  the  enemy.  After  about 
two  hours,  in  which  this  contest  was  so  heroically  maintained 
by  our  men,  it  became  evident  that  the  contest  was  too  un 
equal  to  maintain  longer.  The  led  horses,  the  wounded,  for 
whom  there  was  transportation,  and  caissons,  were  started  on 
the  road  leading  to  Charles  City  Courthouse,  eight  miles 
distant.  These  fairly  under  way,  the  division  began  to  retire 
by  the  right.  Our  men  continued  fighting  on  foot,  but  were 
mounted  from  time  to/  time.  The  movement  toward  Charles 
City  Courthouse  was  made  in  the  best  possible  order,  and 
without  confusion  or  disorder.  The  enemy  pressed  hard  on 
the  rear  of  the  command,  but  without  advantage.  A  final 
stand  made  by  mounted  regiments  at  Hopewell  church  on 
open  ground  determined  the  enemy  to  make  no  further 
advance.  For  want  of  sufficient  ambulances,  some  of  our 
wounded  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  division 
reached  Charles  City  Courthouse  about  8  P.  M.,  and  there 
encamped  near  the  First  Division.  The  aggregate  loss  of  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  229 

division  in  this  engagement  was  357  commissioned  officers 
and  enlisted  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing." 

General  Meacle,  in  his  report  of  this  affair,  says : 

"  Hampton  fell  on  Gregg,  handling  him  severely,  but  he 
was  finally  driven  off,  and  the  command  reached  the  James." 

This  engagement  reflects  much  credit  on  General  Gregg 
and  but  little  on  our  commanders.  Our  forces  largely  out 
numbered  the  enemy,  and  with  proper  management  ought  to 
have  taken  the  enemy's  artillery,  routed  his  force  and  attacked 
his  wagon-train,  before  any  reinforcement  could  have  reached 
him.  I  have  always  regarded  this  the  best  fight  made  by 
Gregg's  Division,  of  which  1  had  any  personal  experience  and 
observation,  during  the  war. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Our  bugles  sang  truce,  for  the  night  cloud  had  lowered, 
And  the  sentinel  stars  set  their  watch  in  the  sky, 

And  thousands  had  sunk  on  the  ground  overpowered, 
The  weary  to  sleep  and  the  wounded  to  die. 

Campbell. 

After  the  fight  at  Charles  City  Courthouse,  our  division, 
under  Hampton,  crossed  to  the  south  side  of  the  James  on 
the  pontoon  bridge,  passed  through  Petersburg,  and  on  the 
evening  of  the  28th  reached  Sappony  Church,  ajbout  ten  miles 
south  of  Reams  Station,  and  prepared  to  resist  the  return  of 
Wilson's  and  Kautz's  Divisions  of  Cavalry  from  their  foray 
through  Southern  Virginia,  crippling  our  railroads,  and  de 
vastating  the  country.  We  had  not  long  been  in  position  be 
fore  we  were  aroused  by  the  rattle  of  the  carbines.  Skirmish 
ing  was  kept  up  until  nearly  daylight,  when  our  dismounted 
men  advanced,  our  regiment,  in  conjunction  with  other 
troops,  charged,  and  the  enemy  were  broken  and  scattered. 
I  was  ordered  with  our  company  to  pursue  a  squad  of  some 
one  hundred  men  who  were  retreating,  but  fighting  as  they 
retired.  As  the  country  was  thickly  wooded  and  our  com 
pany  mounted,  the  enemy  had  a  decided  advantage.  Seizing 
a  favorable  opportunity,  as  the  enemy  entered  an  open  wood, 
a  charge  was  made  and  the  greater  portion  of  the  squad  cap 
tured.  In  this  charge  my  horse,  Bonaparte,  a  noble  animal, 
my  companion  in  many  scenes  of  danger,  was  mortally 
wounded  and  died  the  next  morning.  Dear  Bony !  How 
many  sad  memories  cluster  around  you.  You  had  borne  my 
father,  when  he  received  his  wound  at  McGaheysviile..  You 
were  the  companion  of  my  brother  until  his  life-blood  was 
shed  at  Parker's  Store,  and  now  the  fatal  blow  has  fallen  on 
you.  If  beyond  this  vale  there  are  pleasant  fields  and  never- 
failing  streams  for  the  faithful  friend  and  companion  of  man, 

[230] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  231 

I  feel  assured,  noble  steed,  them  art  feeding  there.  The  lords 
of  creation  can  bow  to  thee !  All  thy  years  were  spent  for 
others,  and  thy  duty  was  discharged  with  fidelity  and  cheer 
fulness.  Mankind  may  imitate  thee  and  desire  no  greater 
boon  than  to  deserve  the  praise  that  is  thy  due.  Mounting 
a  flea-bitten  grey,  captured  from  the  enemy,  the  pursuit  was 
continued,  and  many  prisoners  taken.  After  Wilson  and 
Kautz  retired  from  our  front,  they  retreated  rapidly  in  the 
direction  of  Reams  Station,  expecting  to  pass  through  our 
line  at  that  point,  but  Mahone's  Division  of  Infantry  and 
Fitz  Lee's  Cavalry  met  them  there,  and  after  a  short  combat 
they  abandoned  artillery,  wagons  and  ambulances,  took  to 
the  woods,  many  during  the  night  following  making  their 
way  safely  through  our  lines.  In  this  engagement  we  cap 
tured  1,000  prisoners,  16  guns  and  caissons,  50  wagons,  and 
40  ambulances. 

General  Hampton,  in  his  official  report  of  this  battle,  says: 
"  The  position  of  the  enemy,  who  had  two  lines  of  works, 
was  so  strong  that  I  could  not  attack  it  in  front,  so  at  day 
light  I  threw  portions  of  Butler's  and  Rosser's  brigades, 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  General  Butler  on  the  left 
flank  of  the  enemy.  At  the  same  moment  Chambliss  advanced 
the  whole  front  line,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  were  in  pos 
session  of  both  lines  of  works,  the  enemy  retreating  in  con 
fusion  and  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  ground." 

,  General  Lee  reports : 

"  In  the  various  conflicts  with  the  enemy's  cavalry  in  their 
late  expedition  against  the  railroad,  besides  their  killed  and 
wounded  left  on  the  field,  over  1,000  prisoners,  13  pieces  of 
artillery,  30  wagons  and  ambulances,  many  small-arms,  horses 
and  ordnance  stores,  and  several  hundred  negroes  taken  from 
the  plantations  on  their  route,  were  captured." 

General  Wilson,  in  his  official  report,  says : 
'  The  loss  sustained  by  the  entire  command  was  about  900 
men  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.     Twelve  field-guns,  four 


232  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

mountain  Howitzers,  and  30  wagons  and  ambulances  were 
abandoned  and  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands." 

General  Hampton  places  his  loss  at  two  Wiled,  18  wounded 
and  two  missing-.  This  fight  virtually  ended  the  cavalry  cam 
paign,  for  Sheridan  was  so  crippled  that  he  was  unable  to 
muster  force  sufficient  to  make  a  move  of  any  importance, 
retired  behind  Grant's  infantry,  and  went  into  innocuous 
desuetude. 

In  his  report,  Sheridan  says : 

"  I  think  my  casualties  from  May  5th  to  August  ist  will 
number  between  5,000  and  6,000,  and  that  the  capture  in 
prisoners  will  exceed  2,000.'' 

On  July  3d,  in  reply  to  an  inquiry  from  General  Grant,  he 


savs : 


"  General  Wilson  is  here  reorganizing  his  command.  I 
shall  commence  at  once  to  refit  and  put  my  command  in  con 
dition.  I  wish  all  dismounted  men  of  the  cavalry  corps  now 
with  the  trains  and  otherwise  connected  with  the  army 
ordered  to  report  to  Major  Beaumont  at  this  point  without 
delay.  In  reference  to  the  condition  of  the  command,  I  have 
to  report  it  unfit  for  service  at  the  present  time." 

General  Ingalls  writes  General  Meigs : 

"  General  Gregg  has  700  dismounted  men  here,  and  wants 
that  number  of  cavalry  horses  at  once.  He  has  900  dis 
mounted  men  in  Washington,  and  he  would  like  to  have 
them  mounted  and  sent  back.  General  Grant  has  sent  orders 
to  General  Halleck  on  the  subject.  I  have  not  heard  from 
Kautz,  but  presume  he  will  require  1,400;  500  have  been 
received  and  issued  to  Kautz." 

General  Hampton,  in  his  report  of  July  loth,  says: 

'  The  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  which  ended  near  Peter's 
Bridge,  closed  the  active  operations  which  began  on  the  8th 
of  June,  when  the  movement  against  Sheridan  commenced. 


Jno.  McCluer. 


234  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

During  that  time  (a  period  of  twenty-two  days)  the  com 
mand  had  no  rest,  was  badly  supplied  with  rations  and  forage, 
marched  upwards  of  400  miles,  fought  the  greater  portion  of 
six  days  and  one  entire  night,  captured  upwards  of  2,000 
prisoners,  many  guns,  small-arms,  wagons,  horses  and 
material  of  war,  and  was  completely  successful  in  defeating 
two  of  the  most  formidable  and  well-organized  expeditions 
of  the  enemy.  This  was  accomplished  at  a  cost  in  my  division 
of  719  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  including  21  casualties 
in  Chew's  Battery  (horse  artillery),  not  mentioned  in  my  pre 
vious  reports.  These  men  have  borne  their  privations  with 
perfect  cheerfulness;  they  have  fought  admirably,  and  I  wish 
to  express  before  closing  my  report  not  only  my  thanks  to 
them  for  their  good  conduct,  but  my  pride  at  having  the 
honor  to  command  them." 

During  the  first  part  of  August,  Hampton's  Division 
remained  on  the  right  of  Lee's  army  and  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Reams  Station.  There  was  little  movement  of  the  enemy, 
and  we  were  passive,  except  that  now  and  then  a  midnight 
incursion  was  made  into  some  farmer's  patch  of  watermelons, 
a  fruit  which  was  grown  extensively -in  this  section,  and  of 
most  delicious  flavor.  I  recall  one  incident  of  this  camp. 
Two  rather  juvenile  members  of  Company  B,  messmates  of 
mine — Frank,  about  fifteen,  and  \Yillie,  about  sixteen — went 
out  one  night  on  a  foraging  expedition,  and  returned  about  2 
P.  M.  loaded  down  with  a  big  watermelon,  surreptitiously 
acquired.  I  was  awakened  from  sleep  to  partake  of  the 
luscious  fruit,  and  was  told  of  their  thrilling  venture  with  the 
guards,  who  had  fired  on  them  and  chased  them  from  the 
field,  and  how  they  had  tenaciously  held  on  to  their  prize. 
"  Men  do  not  despise  a  thief,  if  he  steal  to  satisfy  his  soul  when 
he  is  hungry."  I  was  only  a  surface  reader  of  Scripture,  and 
thought  this  answered  our  case;  so  we  gathered  about  our 
spoil  in  eager  anticipation  of  a  royal  feast,  for  a  Johnnie's 
appetite,  like  death,  has  all  seasons  for  its  own.  But  what 
was  our  chagrin  and  disappointment,  when  we  laid  open  our 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  .  235 

melon  to  find  it  so  green  we  could  not  eat  it.  "  Stolen  waters 
are  sweet,"  but  on  this  occasion  the  words  did  not  apply. 
These  boys  were  not  raised  in  a  watermelon  country,  were 
ignorant  of  the  art  of  distinguishing  between  a  ripe  and  an 
unripe  melon,  and  so  their  toil  and  trouble  was  thrown  away, 
and  we  were  forced  to  retire  that  night  with  whetted  appetites 
unappeased. 

The  division  obtained  here  a  much  needed  rest  after  its 
arduous  campaign.  On  the  morning  of  the  2jd,  silence  was 
again  broken,  Gregg's  and  Kautz's  divisions  of  cavalry 
advanced  the  enemy's  line,  took  possession  of  Reams  Station, 
and,  pushing  forward  a  cavalry  force  about  two  miles  west  of 
the  station,  encountered  our  brigade.  A  portion  of  the 
Twelfth  Cavalry  was  dismounted  and  thrown  forward  in 
skirmish  line.  Company  B,  not  carrying  any  long-range 
guns,  generously  offered  to  borrow  from  other  companies  of 
the  regiment  and  take  their  places  in  the  skirmish  line,  and  I 
was  assigned  the  charge  of  these  men. 

Our  force  steadily  advanced,  driving  the  enemy  before 
them,  until  an  open  field  was  reached,  when  a  squadron  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  charged  through  our  skirmish  line,  but  were 
soon  repulsed  and  driven  back  by  our  reserve.  As  the  enemy 
passed  through  our  line,  I  struck  one  of  their  men  over  the 
head  with  my  saber,  but  failed  to  do  more  than  arouse  his 
anger.  Turning  on  me,  he  was  in  the  act  of  trying  his  weapon 
upon  me,  when  one  of  our  men,  perceiving  my  critical  situa 
tion,  shot  and  killed  him,  much  to  my  reiief  and  gratification. 

After  this  little  episode,  our  skirmish  line  was  still  further 
advanced,  driving  the  enemy  from  an  elevation  a  short  dis 
tance  from  Reams  Station.  At  this  point  the  enemy  made  a 
determined  stand,  and  though  the  fight  was  continued  until 
dark,  we  failed  to  break  their  line.  In  this  engagement,  Frank 
Manning,  then  about  fifteen  years  old,  and  possibly  the 
youngest  member  of  Company  B,  was  shot  through  the  breast 
and  carried  off  the  field.  Though  young,  slight,  and  delicate, 
he  was  a  gallant  soldier.  The  28th  was  spent  in  skirmishing 


2 3*>  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

with  the  enemy  without  result,  as  it  had  been  reinforced 
with  Hancock's  corps  of  infantry  and  artillery.  That  night, 
General  A.  P.  Hill  came  to  our  support  witft  three  brigades  of 
his  corps— Cook's  and  McRae's  brigades  of  North  Caro 
linians,  under  General  Heth,  and  General  Lane's  Brigade, 
with  Peg-ram's  Artillery.  Arrangements  were  made  at  once 
to  attack  the  enemy,  and  about  9  A.  M.  on  the  25th,  the  ball 
was  opened  and  the  enemy  forced  back  to  their  intrenchments 
at  Reams  Station,  leaving-  their  dead  and  wounded  in  our 
hands.  General  Hill  now  disposed  his  forces  to  assault  the 
enemy's  works  at  the  station.  The  infantry  was  placed  on 
our  left,  and  the  cavalry  dismounted  on  the  right,  connecting 
with  the  infantry.  Our  artillery  opened  a  vigorous  fire  on  the 
breastworks,  which  was  continued  for  about  fifteen  minutes 
and  then  ceased,  and  our  whole  line  moved  rapidly  forward 
on  the  enemy's  intrenchments.  This  was  the  most  animated 
charge  of  footmen  witnessed  by  me  during-  the  war,  and 
was  due,  in  my  judgment,  in  great  measure  to  the  rivalry 
existing  between  cavalry  and  infantry.  Opportunity  was 
here  afforded  of  fairly  testing  the  merits  and  valor  of  the 
respective  arms  of  the  service  in  an  equal  field.  Company 
B  was  armed  alone  with  pistols  and  sabers,  and  these 
were  valueless  at  long  range.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the 
command  was  given,  the  rush  for  the  intrenchments  was 
made.  The  enemy  fired  one  volley  as  we  started,  but 
before  they  could  reload,  our  line  was  over  the  breast 
works,  and  the  enemy  in  rout  and  confusion.  Alany  laid 
down  in  the  trenches  and  surrendered.  Pressing  on.  the 
enemy's  artillery  was  soon  in  our  possession,  and  the  disor 
ganization  so  complete,  a  rally  seemed  impossible.  When 
the  superior  number  of  the  enemy  and  their  intrenched  posi 
tion  is  considered,  this  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  victories 
of  the  war.  and  reflects  great  credit  on  Generals  Hill  and 
Hampton  and  the  men  under  their  command.  The  victory 
was  decisive.  Xine  of  the  enemy's  guns  were  captured  and 
turned  on  the  fieeing  columns.  Our  captures,  as  given  by 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  237 

General  Hill  in  his  official  report,  were:  "Twelve  stand  of 
colors,  nine  pieces  of  artillery,  10  caissons,  2,150  prisoners, 
3,100  small-arms,  32  horses;  my  own  loss  (cavalry,  artillery 
and  infantry)  being  720."  The  Federal  return  of  casualties 
in  this  engagement  is  2,724.  Night  put  an  end  to  our  pursuit, 
and  the  cavalry  bivouacked  on  the  battle-field.  On  the  fol 
lowing  morning,  I  was  directed  with  Company  B  to  follow 
up  the  retreating  column  of  the  enemy.  In  the  pursuit  a 
great  many  stragglers  were  taken.  About  two  miles  from 
the  battle-field  we  encountered  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy, 
and  in  a  skirmish  with  it,  Robert  Castleman  was  wounded  in 
the  shoulder.  In  the  charge  the  evening  before.  Company 
B  had  only  one  man  wounded,  John  Coleman.  General  Hill, 
after  the  fight,  returned  with  the  infantry  and  Pegram's  Artil 
lery  to  his  position  in  the  lines  around  Petersburg,  and  our 
cavalry  remained  in  possession  of  the  field  and  buried  the 
dead  of  both  sides.  General  Gregg  had  asked  permission  to 
enter  our  lines  for  that  purpose,  but  the  request  was  refused, 
with  the  information  that  our  men  were  engaged  in  that  duty. 

General  Meade,  in  a  letter  to  General  Hancock,  very  kirtdly 
tries  to  soothe  his  wounded  spirits.  He  says: 

"  I  am  satisfied  you  and  your  command  have  done  all  in 
your  power,  and  though  you  have  met  with  a  reverse,  the 
honor  and  escutcheons  of  the  old  Second  are  as  bright  as 
ever,  and  will  on  some  future  occasion  prove  it  is  only  \vhere 
enormous  odds  are  brought  against  them,  they  can  be  moved. 
Don't  let  this  matter  worry  you,  because  you  have  given  me 
every  satisfaction." 

\Yhen  the  numbers  of  the  opposing  forces  are  compared, 
the  Federal  superiority  can  readily  be  seen.  General  Hill  had 
the  brigades  of  Cooke,  McRae,  and  Lane,  Pegram's  Artillery, 
and  the  cavalry  divisions  of  Hampton  and  Barringer,  num 
bering  about  8,000  men,  while  General  Hancock  had  the 
Second  Corps,  Miles's  and  Gibbons's  divisions  (50  regiments), 
with  \Yilcox's  Division  in  reserve,  and  Gregg's  and  Kautz's 


2 $8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

i 

divisions  of  cavalry,  a  force  fully  double  that  of  Hill,  with  the 
advantage  of  position  and  breastworks.  General  Meade  says 
Hancock  had  16,000  to  20,000  men.  General  Hancock  does 
not  say  he  was  outnumbered,  but  places  the  blame  of  his 
defeat  upon  the  bad  conduct  of  his  troops.  After  Miles's 
Division  was  thrown  into  disorder,  Hancock  says  in  his 
report :  "  I  immediately  ordered  General  Gibbons' s  Division 
forward  to  retake  the  position  and  guns,  but  the  order  was 
responded  to  very  feebly  by  his  troops,  the  men  falling  back 
to  their  breastworks  on  receiving  a  slight  fire  from  the 
enemy,"  and  concludes  his  report  by  saying:  "  Had  my  troops 
behaved  as  well  as  heretofore,  I  would  have  been  able  to 
defeat  the  enemy  on  this  occasion.  A  force  sent  down  the 
railroad  to  attack  the.  enemy  in  flank  would  have  accom 
plished  the  same  end,  or  a  small  reserve  in  the  field  about  6 
P.  M.  I  attribute  the  bad  conduct  of  my  troops  to  their  great 
fatigue,  owing  to  the  heavy  labor  exacted  of  them,  and  to 
their  enormous  losses  during  the  campaign,  especially  in  offi 
cers.  The  lack  of  the  corps  in  this  respect  is  painfully  great, 
and  hardly  to  be  remedied  during  active  operations.  The 
Seventh,  Fifty-second,  and  Thirty-ninth  New  York  are 
largely  made  up  of  recruits  and  substitutes.  The  first-named 
regiment  in  particular  is  entirely  new,  companies  being 
formed  in  New  York  and  sent  down  here,  some  officers  being 
unable  to  speak  English.  The  material  compares  very  un 
favorably  with  the  veterans  absent." 

General  Miles,  commanding  the  First  Division  of  the 
Second  Corps,  in  his  report,  says : 

"At  5  P.  M.  the  enemy  drove  in  the  skirmishers  of  the  con 
solidated  brigade,  who  made  feeble  resistance;  debouched 
from  the  wood  in  front  of  that  and  the  Fourth  Brigade,  ad 
vancing  through  the  slashings,  which  was  thirty  yards  wide. 
At  first  he  was  met  by  a  sharp  fire  from  these  brigades,  part 
of  the  First  Brigade,  which  fired  to  the  left  oblique,  and  the 
Fourth  New  York  Artillery  to  the  right  oblique.  Although 


Charles  Broadway  Rouss. 


2-10  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

he  pushed  forward  with  determination,  he  was  repulsed  at 
several  points,  and  his  organization  greatly  broken  up  by  the 
severity  of  the  fire  and  the  obstacles  in  hisTront;  but,  unfor 
tunately,  just  as  his  entire  repulse  seemed  certain,  a  portion 
of  the  consolidated  brigade,  consisting  of  the  Seventh,  Fifty- 
second,  and  Thirty-ninth  New  York  regiments,  broke  and 
fell  into  confusion.  At  the  same  time  a  break  occurred  in  the 
right  of  the  same  brigade — the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
fifth  and  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  New  York 
regiments.  I  stood  at  the  time  on  the  banks  of  the  railroad 
cut  and  saw  a  rebel  color-bearer  spring  over  our  works  and 
down  into  the  cut  almost  at  my  feet.  But  few  of  the  enemy 
had  reached  the  work,  and  a  determined  resistance  of  five 
minutes  would  have  given  us  the  victory.  I  looked  for  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Rugg,  but  not  at  the  moment  seeing  him,  I 
directed  his  brigade  to  rush  into  the  gap  and  commence 
firing.  Not  a  minute's  time  was  lost  before  giving  this 
order,  but  instead  of  executing  it,  they  either  lay  on  their 
faces  or  got  up  and  ran  to  the  rear.  I  then  rode  down  the 
line  of  the  Fourth  Brigade,  ordering  it  to  move  toward  the 
right  and  hold  the  rifle-pit.  These  troops  were  then  fighting 
gallantly,  their  brigade  commander,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Broady,  being  conspicuous,  encouraging  and  directing  the 
men.  Finding  the  enemy  had  gained  the  angle  and  flanked 
my  line,  I  rode  to  the  Twelfth  New  York  Battery,  and 
directed  Lieutenant  Dandy  to  fire  canister  at  that  point,  which 
he  did  with  great  effect,  working  his  guns  gallantly  until 
the  enemy  was  upon  him.  His  horses  were  killed,  and  it  was 
impossible  to  limber  up  and  draw  off  his  guns  on  the  breaking 
of  the  line.  The  enemy  pushed  forward,  and,  taking  posses 
sion  of  them,  turned  one  of  them  and  opened  fire  with  it  upon 
our  troops.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  New  York 
Regiment,  Captain  Bent  commanding,  when  the  assault  was 
made,  was  directed  to  attack  the  enemy  in  flank  and  rear. 
The  regiment  had  changed  front,  was  moved  up  to  within  two 
hundred  yards,  and  directed  to  open  fire.  Captain  Martin, 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  241 

division  inspector,  a  very  cool  and  reliable  officer,  reports  that 
not  a  shot  was  fired  at  it,  but  the  men  broke  from  the  ranks 
and  fled  in  a  disgraceful  manner,  only  two  men  in  the  regi 
ment  discharging  their  pieces.  The  panic  had  become  some 
what  general,  and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  my 
line  could  be  formed. " 

General  Gibbons,  commanding  the  Second  Division  of 
Hancock's  Corps,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

"About  5  P.  M.,  the  enemy  having  placed  his  batteries, 
opened  a  heavy  fire,  most  of  which  took  my  part  of  the  line 
in  reverse.  Soon  afterwards  he  made  his  assault  on  General 
Miles's  line,  from  which  a  portion  of  the  First  Brigade  had 
been  withdrawn  to  strengthen  mine,  under  the  impression 
that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  there.  The  enemy  broke 
through  General  Miles's  line,  and,  pushing  forward  his  troops, 
appeared  to  be  for  a  time  carrying  everything  before  him. 
His  fire  taking*  my  line  in  reverse,  I  shifted  my  men  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  parapets  to  resist  his  farther  advance,  but 
there  was  checked  by  the  steadiness  of  a  portion  of  Miles's 
Division,  and  my  division  was  then  ordered  forward  by  Gen 
eral  Hancock  to  attack  the  enemy  and  retake  the  breastworks. 
In  the  attempt  to  obey  this  order,  that  portion  of  the  division 
with  me  did  not  sustain  its  previous  reputation,  and  demoral 
ized,  partly  by  the  shelling  and  musketry  firing  in  its  rear, 
and  partly  by  the  refugees  from  other  parts  of  the  line,  retired 
after  a  very  feeble  effort  and  under  a  very  slight  fire  in  great 
confusion,  and  every  effort  of  myself  and  staff  failing  to  arrest 
the  rout  until  the  breastwork  was  reached.  Soon  after  this, 
the  enemy  attacked  my  line,  the  men  again  shifting  to  the 
inside  of  the  parapet.  Besides  the  fire  from  the  front,  which, 
however,  was  very  feeble,  they  were  subjected  to  a  heavy 
artillery  and  musketry  fire  from  the  right  flank,  when  the 
enemy  turned  our  own  guns  upon  us.  The  men  soon  gave 
way  in  great  confusion,  and  gave  up  the  breastworks  almost 
without  resistance,  and  were  partially  rallied  in  the  woods 
behind  the  right  wing.  The  result  of  this  action  was  a  source 

16 


242  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

of  great  mortification  to  me,  as  I  am  confident  but  for  the 
bad  conduct  of  my  division  the  battle  would  have  terminated 
in  our  favor,  even  after  the  enemy  had  *  broken  through 
General  Miles's  line." 

General  Lee,  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  says : 

"  General  A.  P.  Hill  attacked  the  enemy  in  his  intrench- 
ments  at  Reams  Station  yesterday  evening,  and  at  the  second 
assault  carried  his  entire  line.  Cooke's  and  McRae's  North 
Carolina  brigades,  under  General  Heth,  and  Lane's  North 
Carolina  Brigade  of  Wilcox's  Division,  under  General  Con 
ner,  with  Pegram's  Artillery,  composed  the  assaulting 
column.  One  line  of  breastworks  was  carried  by  the  cavalry 
under  General  Hampton  with  great  gallantry,  who  con 
tributed  largely  to  the  success  of  the  day.  The  loss  of  the 
enemy  in  killed  and  wounded  is  reported  to  be  heavy,  ours 
relatively  small.  Our  profound  gratitude  is  due  to  the  Giver 
of  all  Victory,  and  our  thanks  to  the  brave  men  and  officers 
engaged." 

And  General  Lee,  in  his  letter  to  General  Hampton,  of 
date  August  26,  1864,  says: 

"  I  am  very  much  gratified  with  the  success  of  yesterday's 
operations.  The  conduct  of  the  cavalry  is  worthy  of  all 
praise." 

On  August  26,  1864,  General  Meade  reports  to  General 
Grant : 

"  Hancock's  troops  were  withdrawn  without  molestation, 
or  being  followed.  He  is  now  near  the  Williams  house.  He 
reports  his  command  at  present  unserviceable.  A  report  from 
General  Gregg,  on  Warren's  left  and  Hancock's  lear,  reports 
the  enemy  pressing  his  pickets  a  little  this  morning,  with  a 
view,  he  thinks,  of  picking  up  stragglers." 

General    Hancock,  in    his    report    to    General    Grant  on 


Bull  Rim  to  Bull  Run.  243 

August  26,  1864,  at  10  P.  M.,  after  giving  an  account  of  his 
repulse  and  his  loss,  says : 

"  It  is  acknowledged  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  deter 
mined  and  desperate  fights  of  the  war,  resembling  Spotsyl- 
vania  in  its  character,  though  the  number  engaged  gives  it 
less  importance." 

Our  brigade  remained  quiet  after  the  Reams  Station  fight 
until  September  I4th,  when  it  received  orders  to  move  down 
to  Wilkinson  Bridge,  where  General  Hampton,  with  his  own 
and    General  W.  H.  F.  Lee's    divisions,  encamped    for    the 
night.     The  command  resumed  its  march  on  the  I5th,  and 
reached  Cooke's  Bridge,  on  the  Blackwater,   where  horses 
were  fed,  and  we  rested  until  the  bridge,  which  had  been  de 
stroyed,  was  repaired.     Just  after  midnight  we  moved  off, 
our  brigade  separating  from  the  rest  of  the  command,  follow 
ing  byroads  in  the  direction  of  Sycamore  Church,  where  the 
enemy  was  encountered  about  5  A.  M.,  behind  barricades  and 
armed  with  the  Winchester  repeating  rifle.     Company  B  had 
the  front.     A  charge  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  was  ordered, 
and  gallantly  executed.     The  enemy  fought  stubbornly  for 
a  short  time,  but  finally  broke  and  fled  in  confusion,  leaving 
his  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field  and  his  camp  in  our  hands. 
Having  routed  the  enemy,  our  brigade  pressed  on  to  its 
cattle  corral  near  by  and  captured  the  whole  herd  of  beef 
cattle,  numbering  2,486.     This,  the  object  of  our  expedition, 
being  accomplished,  and  our  litle  force  being  far  in  General 
Grant's  rear,  we  began  our  retreat,   driving  before  us  this 
immense  herd.     In  our  brigade  were  quite  a  number  of  cow 
boys,  not  of  the  Texas  or  Western  sort,  but  real  Virginia  cow 
boys,  who  knew  the  habits  and  dispositions  of  cattle,   and 
these  managed  this  large  drove  with  skill  and  dexterity.    The 
rest  of  our  forces  under  General  Hampton  soon  united  with 
us,  and  the  Blackwater  was  safely  reached  and  disposition 
made  to  protect    our   rear    and    save    our    rich    booty.     At 
Ebenezer,  the  enemy's  cavalry  made  an  attack  on  our  brigade, 


244  11        'in  to 

which  was  soon  repulsed.  While  we  were  fighting,  the  cattle 
and  other  booty  was  hurried  towards  our  lines,  which  they 
reached  in  safety,  and  our  command,  after  Several  skirmishes, 
followed  and  returned  to  its  camp. 

On  this  expedition  our  cavalry  captured,  besides  the  2,486 
beef  cattle,  304  prisoners,  a  large  number  of  horses,  arms  and 
equipments,  and  two  wagons,  and  brought  them  in  safety 
to  our  lines.  Three  camps  of  the  enemy  were  burned  and 
valuable  stores  and  blankets  secured.  Our  loss  was  10  killed, 
47  wounded  and  four  missing.  In  the  fight  at  Sycamore 
Church,  Company  B  lost  Richard  Timberlake,  a  gallant 
soldier  from  AYarren  county,  killed,  and  Isaac  Strider,  from 
Jefferson,  slightly  wounded.  A  laughable  story  is  told  in 
connection  with  Strider's  wound.  After  the  enemy  was 
routed  at  the  church  and  the  boys  had  plundered  the  camp, 
John  Terrill,  in  riding  over  the  field,  found  Ike  lying  on  the 
ground  apparently  in  the  agonies  of  death,  and,  quickly  dis 
mounting,  raised  his  head  and  offered  him  a  drink  from  a 
canteen  of  whiskey  he  had  captured,  thinking  it  would  possi 
bly  revive  him.  But  Ike,  with  a  groan,  pushed  away  the 
canteen,  saying  in  tones  scarcely  audible,  "  John,  I  am  too 
far  gone  for  that."  Just  then  John  Howell  rode  up,  and,  see 
ing  Ike  in  a  prostrate  condition,  also  dismounted,  and  after 
a  little  parley,  began  to  examine  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
wound,  when  to  his  surprise  and  great  gratification,  he  dis 
covered  the  ball  just  buried  in  Ike's  breast.  In  joyful  elation 
he  exclaimed,  "  Ike,  you  are  not  much  hurt;  I  can  see  the 
ball  sticking  in  your  breast,"  and  instantly  pulled  it  out.  Ike 
immediately  revived,  and  seeing  John  Terrill,  who  was  riding- 
off,  yelled  after  him,  "  Oh,  John,  come  back  here  with  that 
canteen."  Terrill  responded  quickly,  delighted  to  find  his 
friend,  who  was  dead,  alive  again.  Ike  took  a  copious 
draught,  mounted  his  horse,  and  was  soon  back  in  ranks. 

Colonel  Gates,  in  his  report  of  this  affair  to  General  Patrick, 
says : 

"  Major  Van  Renssalaer  has  returned  with  his  command. 


Tho.  D.  RansDn. 


246  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

The  attack  on  the  cattle-guard  was  made  at  daylight,  and 
was  a  complete  surprise.  Some  300  of  the  District  of  Colum 
bia  Cavalry  were  captured,  most  of  them  in  their  beds. 
Major  Baker  was  wounded  and  captured.  Another  major 
of  the  same  regiment  was  also  captured,  and  most  of  the 
officers  of  the  regiment;  four  herdsmen  killed." 

And  General  Kautz  reports  to  General  Grant : 

"  Mr.  Rollins  informs  me  that  Major  Belcher  stopped  at 
his  house,  and  said  that  their  force  was  14,000  strong;  that 
they  had  cavalry  and  infantry;  that  they  captured  2,460  head 
of  cattle,  and  that  the  First  District  of  Columbia  Cavalry  had 
escaped  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Powhatan." 

The  Captain  and  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  in  the 
anguish  of  his  soul  at  the  loss  of  his  beef,  sends  the  following 
report  to  headquarters ;  "  The  enemy  got  off  with  the  whole 
herd  at  Coggins  Point — 2,486  head;  none  have  been  recap 
tured." 

After  this  raid,  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  had  a  thirty 
days'  change  of  diet  from  hard-tack  and  mess-pork  to  hard 
tack  and  juicy  beefsteak,  and  tenderloin  at  that — a  change 
much  relished  and  enjoyed. 

Generals  Lee  and  Hampton  having  partaken  of  one  of 
Generals  Grant's  and  Meade's  porterhouses,  General  Hamp 
ton,  in  the  exultation  of  the  moment,  issued  the  following 
address : 

GENERAL   ORDERS    NO.    II. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS, 

ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

Septemper  18,  1864. 

The  Major-General  commanding  takes  pride  in  communi 
cating  to  his  command  the  praise  which  their  recent  achieve 
ment  has  won  from  the  Commanding  General,  who,  in 
acknowledging  his  report  of  the  successful  return  of  his 
command  from  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  army,  says ; 

"  You  will  please  convey  to  the  officers  and  men  of  your 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  241 

command  my  thanks  for  the  courage  and  energy  with  which 
they  executed  your  orders,  by  which  they  have  added  another 
to  the  list  of  important  services  rendered  by  the  cavalry 
during  the  present  campaign." 

To  such  praise  the  Major-General  commanding  would 
only  add  the  expression  of  his  own  appreciation  of  the  gal 
lantry  of  his  officers  and  men,  whose  conduct  in  battle  is  all 
he  could  desire,  and  inspires  him  with  pride  and  perfect  confi 
dence  in  such  a  command. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Wade  Hampton. 

H.   B.   McCLELLAN, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Integer  vitae  scelerisque  purus 
•   Non  eget  Nauris  jaculis,  neque  arcu, 
Nee  venenatis  gravida  sagittis, 
Fusee,   pharetra. 

Horac3. 

Our  brigade  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  Reams 
Station  until  the  latter  part  of  September,  when  it  received 
orders  to  move  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley  to  reinforce  Gen 
eral  Early,  who  had  fallen  back,  after  the  battles  of  Win 
chester  and  Fisher's  Hill,  to  the  vicinity  of  Staunton.  On  the 
27th,  we  bade  farewell  to  the  "  Virginia  Lowlands,"  marched 
through  Burkeville  and  Lynchburg,  where  we  crossed  the 
James,  and  ascended  that  stream  on  the  line  of  the. canal  until 
Lexington  was  reached,  when  the  route  to  Staunton  was 
taken.  Passing  through  that  city  on  the  5th  of  October,  we 
joined  the  remnants  of  Early 's  army,  and  went  into  camp 
near  Bridgewater.  On  the  6th,  General  Meigs's  son  was  killed 
by  a  scout  of  our  cavalry  near  Dayton,  and  Sheridan,  in 
revenge,  ordered  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  to  burn  all  the 
houses  in  the  vicinity  of  that  town. 

In  the  report  of  General  Sheridan,  dated  Woodstock,  Va., 
October  7,  1864,  is  found  the  following: 

"  In  moving  back  to  this  point  the  whole  country  from  the 
Blue  Ridge  to  the  North  Mountains  has  been  made  untenable 
for  a  rebel  army.  I  have  destroyed  over  2,000  barns,  filled 
with  wheat,  hay  and  farming  implements;  over  seventy  mills 
filled  with  flour  and  wheat;  have  driven  in  front  of  the  army 
over  4,000  head  of  stock,  and  have  killed  and  issued  to  the 
troops  not  less  than  3,000  sheep.  This  destruction  embraces 
the  Luray  Valley  and  Little  Fort  Valley  as  well  as  the  main 
valley.  A  large  number  of  horses  have  been  obtained,  a 

[248] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  249 

proper  estimate  of  which  I  cannot  now  make.  Lieutenant 
J.  R.  Meigs,  my  engineer  officer,  was  murdered  beyond  Har- 
risonburg,  near  Dayton.  For  this  atrocious  act,  all  the  houses 
within  an  area  of  five  miles  were  burned." 

The  Goths  and  Vandals  never  boasted  of  such  infamy. 
Lieutenant  Meigs  was  out  with  a  scouting  party  of  Federal 
cavalry,  which  was  met  by  a  scouting  party  of  Confederate 
cavalry,  and  in  a  (air,  square  fight,  was  killed.  This  Sheridan 
calls  murder,  and  revenges  it  by  destroying  the  houses  of 
helpless  women  and  children  and  non-combatants. 

On  the  6th,  our  brigade  ascertained  that  Sheridan  was 
retreating  down  the  Valley,  burning  as  he  retired.  We  started 
in  pursuit  on  the  back  road.  When  nearing  Brock's  Gap, 
some  Federal  soldiers  caught  in  the  act  of  burning  a  mill  were 
shot.  On  the  7th,  we  moved  rapidly  after  the  retreating  enemy, 
and  in  the  afternoon  found  them  posted  at  the  fords  on  Mill 
Creek.  The  Seventh  Cavalry  and  White's  Battalion  crossed 
above  the  fords  and  attacked  on  the  flank  in  a  gallant  manner, 
while  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Cavalry  attacked  in  front, 
utterly  routing  them  and  capturing  a  large  number  of  pris 
oners,  wagons,  forges,  cattle  and  sheep.  After  pursuing  the 
enemy  several  miles  we  found  a  considerable  force  posted 
behind  rail-piles,  at  the  edge  of  a  woods,  prepared  to  oppose 
our  further  progress.  The  Twelfth  was  ordered  to  charge, 
and,  led  by  our  gallant  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Massie,  who  was 
that  evening  in  especially  fine  fighting  trim,  we  rode  over  the 
breastworks,  breaking  their  line  and  renewing  their  rout. 
After  this  engagement  our  commissary  department  called  on 
Company  B  for  a  detail  of  two  men  to  take  charge  of  the 
captured  sheep.  As  our  Comrades  Mote  and  Ike  were 
farmers,  and  supposed  to  be  learned  in  sheep  husbandry,  they 
were  selected  for  this  purpose,  and  accordingly  reported  for 
duty. 

There  were  about  1,000  sheep  in  this  drove,  and  as  Sheri 
dan  had  only  left  a  blackened  waste  behind  him,  and  neither 
pasture  nor  feed  could  be  obtained  along  his  pathway,  it  was 


250  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

deemed  advisable  by  these  shepherds  to  lead  their  flocks 
westward.  On  their  way,  they  fell  on  Orkney  Springs,  and 
as  the  surroundings  looked  inviting  for  bofli  man  and  beast, 
they  concluded  to  lodge  there.  They  soon  ascertained  that 
sheep  was  a  better  circulating  medium  in  these  parts  than 
Confederate  money,  and  they  were  not  long  in  striking  a  bar 
gain  with  the  proprietor  for  two  sheep  a  day  in  payment  for 
board  for  themselves,  horses,  and  sheep.  In  this  quiet  retreat 
and  comfortable  quarters  the  din  of  battle  and  clash  of  arms 
were  forgotten,  and  if  our  forces  had  not  met  with  a  reverse, 
and  the  flock  had  not  become  exhausted,  these  tender  shep 
herds  might  have  spent  the  remainder  of  the  war  in  this 
happy  retreat.  But  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  rendered 
rations  exceedingly  scarce  among  our  troops,  and  the  cap 
tured  sheep  were  brought  to  remembrance,  and  diligent 
search  made  for  their  place  of  abode.  After  several  days,  the 
remnant  with  the  shepherds  were  found  safely  quartered  at 
this  mountain  resort,  the  sheep  turned  over  to  the  commis 
sary  and  the  hungry  soldiers,  and  Mote  and  Ike  ordered  back 
to  Company  B,  where  they  regaled  their  comrades  with  their 
accounts  of  their  pleasant  outing. 

Colonel  Purington,  commanding  the  First  Brigade  of  the 
Third  Division  of  Cavalry  Corps,  in  his  report  of  the  engage 
ment  of  the  7th,  says : 

'  The  Second  Brigade  in  the  rear  was  attacked  and  com 
pelled  to  fall  back,  losing  all  the  cattle  and  some  of  the  forges 
of  the  brigade.  Part  of  the  First  Brigade  were  deployed, 
checking  the  enemy,"  and  on  the  8th  he  says :  "  The  Eigh 
teenth  Cavalry,  as  rear-guard,  was  attacked  and  compelled 
to  fall  back  on  the  brigade,  losing  some  killed  and  a  few 
wounded." 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  Sheridan's  Cavalry,  in 
full  force,  recrossed  Tom's  Brook,  attacked  our  cavalry 
division,  then  under  command  of  General  Rosser,  and  after 
a  spirited  fight,  routed  Wickham's  Brigade  on  the  back  road 


B.  B.  Ranson,  M.  D. 


252  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

and  Lomax  on  the  turnpike,  driving  them  in  confusion  and 
capturing  our  artillery  on  these  roads.  That  morning  our 
brigade  was  occupying  a  position  about  fhidway  between 
these  two  roads.  Colonel  Dulaney,  commanding  the  brigade, 
ordered  our  regiment  in  line  in  front  of  a  piece  of  woodland, 
in  which  we  had  encamped  during  the  night.  In  a  few 
moments  the  enemy  appeared  in  our  front  in  considerable 
force,  and  began  a  rapid  fire  on  our  column.  Colonel 
Duianey,  as  brave  as  Julius  Qesar  and  as  punctilious  in 
obedience  to  orders  as  the  boy  that  stood  on  the  burning 
deck,  declined  to  attack,  and  we  were  left  at  the  mercy  of  the 
enemy's  fire,  with  little  ability  to  return  it.  Company  B 
possessed  no  weapons  but  pistols  and  sabers,  and  clamored 
to  go  forward,  but  the  Colonel  peremptorily  declined.  Find 
ing  that  our  lives  would  be  sacrificed  without  injury  to  the 
enemy,  I  disobeyed  orders  and  led  a  charge  of  Company 
B  on  the  enemy  in  our  front,  breaking  its  line  and  throw 
ing  them  into  confusion.  But  our  number  (not  over  21  men) 
was  too  small  to  hold  the  advantage  we  had  gained,  and  we 
were  forced  to  retire  on  our  regiment.  In  this  charge  Ike 
Anderson,  a  gallant  member  of  the  company,  was  shot 
through  the  lungs  and  carried  off  the  field. 

"\Ye  had  just  rejoined  our  regiment,  which  had  been  some 
what  relieved  by  our  charge,  when  our  men  on  the  back  road 
were  discovered  rapidly  retreating,  the  enemy  pursuing  and 
completely  turning  our  left  flank.  The  order  to  retire  was 
given,  and  our  brigade,  now  under  Colonel  Funsten,  Colonel 
Dulaney  having  been  wounded,  moved  slowly  back,  repulsing 
several  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  break  our  line.  Coming 
in  view  of  the  turnpike,  we  discovered  Lomax  in  rapid  retreat 
on  that  road.  \Yith  a  good  leader,  our  brigade  might  have 
saved  our  artillery  on  the  back  road  by  a  well-directed  charge 
on  the  rear  and  flank  of  the  enemy.  As  it  was,  we  were  forced 
back  by  the  enemy's  advance  on  the  turnpike  and  back  road, 
while  but  feebly  pressed  ourselves. 

Lieutenant  Washington  and   myself  were  with  our  rear- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  253 

guard,  skirmishing  with  the  enemy's  advance,  and  in  one  of 
their  onsets  my  horse  was  wounded  in  the  leg.  The  loss  in 
our  command  that  day  was  severe  in  artillery  and  prisoners, 
but  our  numbers  were  largely  inferior  to  the  enemy;  the 
enemy  having  Custer's,  Merritt's,  and  Powell's  divisions 
against  Rosser's  (Fitz  Lee's)  and  Lomax's  divisions — 10,000 
men  against  less  than  4,000. 

General  Early,  in  his  report  to  General  Lee,  says : 
"  Rosser,  in  command  of  his  own  brigade  and  the  two 
brigades  of  Fitz  Lee's  Division,  and  Lomax,  with  two 
brigades  of  his  own  cavalry,  were  ordered  to  pursue  the 
enemy,  to  harass  him  and  ascertain  his  purposes,  while  I  re 
mained  here,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  move  east  of  the  Ridge,  if 
necessary,  and  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  enemy, 
having  concentrated  his  whole  cavalry  in  his  rear,  attacked 
them  and  drove  them  back  this  morning  from  near  Fisher's 
Hill,  capturing  nine  pieces  of  horse  artillery  and  eight  or  ten 
wagons.  Their  loss  in  men  is,  I  understand,  slight.  I  have 
not  heard  definitely  from  Rosser,  but  he  is,  I  understand, 
failing  back  in  good  order,  having  rallied  his  command,  which 
is  on  what  is  called  the  back  road,  which  is  west  of  the  turn 
pike;  but  Lomax's  command,  which  was  on  the  turnpike, 
came  back  to  this  place  in  confusion.  This  is  very  distressing 
to  me,  and  God  knows  I  have  done  all  in  my  power  to  avert 
the  disasters  which  have  befallen  this  command;  but  the  fact 
is  that  the  enemy's  cavalry  is  so  much  superior  to  ours,  both 
in  numbers  and  equipments,  and  the  country  is  so  favorable  to 
the  operations  of  cavalry,  that  it  is  impossible  for  ours  to 
compete  with  his.  Lomax's  cavalry  are  armed  entirely  with 
rifles,  and  have  no  sabers,  and  the  consequence  is,  that  they 
cannot  fight  on  horseback,  and  in  this  open  country  they 
cannot  successfully  fight  on  foot  against  large  bodies  of 
cavalry;  besides,  the  command  is  and  has  been  demoralized 
all  the  time.  It  would  be  better  if  they  could  be  put  into 
infantry;  but  if  that  were  tried  I  am  afraid  they  would  all 
run  off'" 


254  Bull  Run   to  Bull  Run. 

In  1863,  Lomax  was  going  to  have  some  of  Company  B 
shot  for  a  little  flank  to  their  homes.  It  seems,  according 
to  General  Early's  views,  there  were  some  others  now  much 
more  deserving  of  that  fate: 

General  Sheridan,  in  his  report  to  General  Grant,  says : 
"  On  coming  back  to  this  point  (Strasburg)  I  was  not 
followed  in  until  iate  yesterday,  when  a  large  force  of  cavalry 
appeared  in  my  rear.  I  then  halted  the  command  to  offer 
battle  by  attacking  the  enemy.  I  became  satisfied  that  it  was 
only' all  the  rebel  cavalry  of  the  Valley  commanded  by  Rosser 
and  directed  Torbert  to  attack  at  daylight  this  morning  and 
finish  this  savior  of  the  J  Bailey.  The  attack  was  handsomely 
made.  Custer,  commanding  the  Third  Cavalry  Division, 
charged  on  the  back  road,  and  Merritt,  commanding  the  First 
Cavalry  Division  on  the  Strasburg  turnpike.  Merritt  cap 
tured  five  pieces  of  artillery,  Custer  captured  six  of  artillery, 
with  caissons,  battery  forge,  etc.  The  two  divisions  captured 
37  wagons,  ambulances,  etc.  Among  the  wagons  captured 
are  the  headquarters  wagons  of  Rosser,  Lomax,  and  Wick- 
ham,  and  Colonel  Munford.  The  number  of  prisoners  cap 
tured  will  be  about  330.  I  deemed  it  best  to  make  this  delay 
of  one  day  here  and  settle  this  new  cavalry  general." 
As  laid  down  in  the  old  couplet : 

"  He  who  fights  and  runs  away, 
Will  live  to  fight  another  day." 

In  a  few  days  our  cavalry  rallied  from  its  discomfiture  and 
were  again  ready  for  action.  On  the  I2th,  our  march  down 
the  Valley  was  resumed,  and  on  the  I3th  we  reached  Stras 
burg,  the  enemy  having  retired  north  of  Cedar  Creek.  On 
the  night  of  the  i6th  a  novel  raid  was  made  by  our  brigade 
taking  Grimes's  infantry  brigade  behind  them  to  the  rear  of 
the  enemy's  right,  with  the  intention  of  surprising  Custer's 
camp  near  Petticoat  Gap,  but  the  expedition  failed,  as  Cus 
ter's  camp  had  that  day  been  moved,  but  we  captured  a  picket 
of  50  men  and  returned  to  camp  with  our  infantry  comrades 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  <?55 

considerable  worsted  by  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  midnight 
jaunt. 

On  the  morning  of  the   iQth,  at   5   o'clock,  our  brigade 
moved  into  position  on  the  back  road  and  the  Cedar-Creek 
battle  was  opened.    As  day  broke,  Gordon's  guns  were  heard 
on  our  right,  soon  followed  by  musketry,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  enemy  could  be  seen  in  rapid  flight.     Our  brigade  crossed 
Cedar  Creek  and  pressed  back  the  enemy's  right  wing,  and 
victory  seemed  assured  for  our  arms.    But  about  6  P.  M.  our 
brigade  moved  back  to  the  south  side  of  Cedar  Creek  and 
the  first  squadron  of  the  Twelfth  Cavalry,  under  my  charge, 
was  left  to  guard  and  hold  the  ford.     After  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy  until  after  dark,  our  horses  were  fed  and  the  men 
laid  down  to  rest,  perfectly  oblivious  of  the  rout  of  our  infan 
try  and  its  retreat  up  the  Valley.     That  night,  as  I  was  rest 
ing  my  head  on  Tom  Timberlake's  knee,  his  pistol  fell  out 
of  the  holster  and  the  hammer  striking  a  rail  on  which  he 
was  sitting,  was  discharged,  the  ball  striking  Timberlake's 
breast,  inflicting  a  serious  wound,  and  he  fell  forward  on  me. 
His  wound  was  dressed,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  rear.     The 
rising  sun  found  us  safe  and  sound    on    our    post,  with  the 
enemy  just  across  the  creek.     Between  8  and  9  A.  M.  some 
of  our  infantry  came  straggling  into  our  camp,  and  from  them 
we  learned  that  General  Early,  late  in  the  evening  before, 
was  defeated,  and  was  in  rapid  retreat  up  the  Valley,  Sheridan 
pursuing.     It  was  hard  to  realize  the  truth  of  this  statement, 
as  visions  of  an  advance  on  the  enemy,  of  getting  to  our 
homes  in  the  lower  Valley  and  meeting  with  relatives  and 
friends,  had  so  possessed  our  minds  during  the  night  that 
the  truth  of  itself  could  scarcely  eradicate  them.     But  being 
unwillingly  persuaded  of  the  turn  of  fortune,  without  orders 
from  our  superior  officers,  who  in  the  excitement  of  the  occa 
sion  had  abandoned  us  to  our  fate,  our  pickets  were  quietly 
withdrawn;  the  squadron  mounted  and  retired  up  the  back 
road  until  opposite  Woodstock,  where  it  moved  to  the  turn 
pike,  and  found  our  brigade  covering  Early's  rear.     Why  the 


256  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

enemy  did  not  close  in  and  capture  our  squadron  has  always 
been  a  mystery.  I  suppose  in  their  great  joy  at  turning  our 
morning  victory  into  evening  defeat,  such*  small  game  was 
overlooked.  Probably  in  no  other  engagement  during  the 
war  was  there  such  a  complete  turn  in  the  tide  of  victory. 
The  victory  of  our  troops  in  the  morning  seemed  decisive, 
and  the  rout  of  the  enemy  complete,  but  failure  to  follow  up 
the  advantage  so  as  to  prevent  a  rally  gave  the  enemy  an 
opportunity  to  reorganize;  and  to  the  fortunate  return  of 
their  commander,  inspiring  them  with  confidence,  at  a  time 
when  our  forces  were  scattered  and  bent  on  plunder  rather 
than  duty,  the  disaster  can  be  safely  ascribed. 

General  Early,  in  his  report  to  General  Lee,  says : 
"  The  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Corps  have  not  left  the  Valley. 
I  fought  them  both  yesterday.  I  attacked  Sheridan's  camp 
on  Cedar  Creek  before  day  yesterday  morning  and  surprised 
and  routed  the  Eighth  and  Nineteenth  Corps,  and  then  drove 
the  Sixth  Corps  beyond  Middietown,  capturing  18  pieces  of 
artillery  and  1,300  prisoners;  but  the  enemy  subsequently 
made  a  stand  on  the  turnpike,  and  in  turn  attacked  my  line, 
and  my  left  gave  way,  and  the  rest  of  the  troops  took  a  panic 
and  could  not  be  rallied,  retreating  in  confusion.  But  for 
their  bad  conduct,  I  should  have  defeated  Sheridan's  whole 
force.  On  the  retreat  back  to  Fisher's  Hill  the  enemy  cap 
tured  about  30  pieces  of  artillery  and  some  wagons  and 
ambulances.  The  prisoners  (1,300)  were  brought  off.  My 
losses  in  men  were  not  heavy.  General  Ramseur  was  seriously 
wounded  while  acting  with  gallantry,  and  was  captured  by  the 
enemy." 

On  the  following  day,  General  Early  reports  that  his  net 
loss  in  artillery  was  23  pieces,  and  killed  and  wounded  less 
than  1,000. 

General  Sheridan,  in  his  report,  says: 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  my  army  at  Cedar  Creek 
was  attacked  this  morning  before  daylight,  and  my  left  was 


Thomas  Redman. 


258  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

turned  and  driven  in  confusion;  in  fact,  most  of  the  line  was 
driven  in  confusion,  with  the  loss  of  20  pieces  of  artillery.  I 
hastened  from  Winchester,  where  I  was  on*  my  return  from 
Washington,  and  joined  the  army  between  Middletown  and 
Newtown,  having  been  driven  back  about  four  miles.  I  here 
took  the  affair  in  hand  and  quickly  united  the  corps,  and 
formed  a  compact  line  of  battle  just  in  time  to  repulse  an 
attack  of  the  enemy,  which  was  handsomely  done  about  i  P. 
M.  At  3  P.  M.,  after  some  changes  of  the  cavalry  from  the 
left  to  the  right  flank,  I  attacked  with  great  vigor,  driving  and 
routing  the  enemy,  capturing,  according  to  reports,  43  pieces 
of  artillery  and  very  many  prisoners.  I  do  not  know  the 
number  of  my  casualties  or  the  losses  of  the  enemy;  wagon- 
trains,  ambulances,  and  caissons  in  large  numbers  are  in  our 
possession.  They  also  burned  some  of  their  trains.  General 
Ramseur  is  a  prisoner  in  our  hands,  severely  and  perhaps 
mortally  wounded.  I  have  to  regret  the  loss  of  General  Bid- 
well,  killed,  and  Generals  Wright,  Groon,  and  Ricketts, 
wounded;  Wright  slightly  wounded.  Affairs  at  times  looked 
badly,  but  by  the  gallantry  of  our  brave  officers  and  men 
disaster  has  been  converted  into  a  splendid  victory." 

Of  the  43  pieces  of  artillery  claimed  as  captured,  20  of  them 
were  his  own,  making  our  loss  23.  Our  killed  and  wounded 
were  less  than  his,  and  the  prisoners  1,300,  while  our  loss  in 
prisoners  was  less  than  1,000. 

When  the  numbers ,  engaged  on  the  respective  sides  are 
compared,  the  result  cannot  be  considered  a  disaster,  and  if 
the  victory  of  the  morning  could  have  been  maintained,  it 
would  have  been  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  the  war : 

From  the  returns  of  Sheridan's  army  for  the  month  of 
October  we  find  present  for  duty  as  follows : 

Sixth  Army  Corps    (Wright) .:.............  15,695 

Eighth  Army  Corps  .(Crook) ...,./.. 24,934 

Nineteenth  Army  Corps   (Emory) 11,387 

Cavalry  Corps   (Torbert) 9,704 

Total   .  61,720 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Early 's  army,  as  reported  October  9,  1864,  is  as  follows: 

Infantry    and    artillery 6,000 

Kershaw's  Division,  added  after  that  date 4,000 

Cavalry  Corps  (Rosser  and  Lomax) 4,000 


Total   14,000 

With  such  odds  against  him,  this  defeat  will  not  detract 
from  the  fame  of  General  Early  as  a  leader  and  fighter,  nor 
add  luster  to  the  fame  of  Sheridan's  army,  though,  personally, 
General  Sheridan  deserves  great  praise  for  having  wrested 
victory  from  defeat,  rout,  and  confusion. 

After  this  battle,  Sheridan  moved  back  to  the  vicinity  of 
Winchester,  our  lines  were  advanced  to  Strasburg,  and  both 
armies  remained  comparatively  quiet  until  the  nth  of 
November,  when  our  brigade  moved  back  of  Middletown, 
where  it  encountered  Custers  Division  of  Cavalry,  and  after 
a  hot  contest  fell  back  to  Cedar  Creek,  capturing  in  the  fight 
some  prisoners. 

In  this  skirmish  Company  B  lost  Phil  Terrill,  killed;  a 
soldier  not  only  brave  and  courageous,  but  possessing  many 
manly  and  social  qualities. 

The  Valley  campaign  was  now  virtually  ended.  From  the 
time  Sheridan  took  command,  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  the 
war  assumed  entirely  a  new  phase.  Prior  to  this,  the  war  had 
been  conducted  on  civilized  principles,  but  now  robbery, 
arson,  and  desolation  marked  its  pathway.  Sheridan  boasted 
that  he  had  burnt  between  Harrisonburg  and  Winchester 
barns,  houses,  mills,  grain,  hay,  stores  by  the  thousands,  and 
driven  off  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  by  the  tens  of  thousands. 
The  character  of  his  warfare  may  be  seen  by  an  order  of 
November  7,  1864: 

Brigadier-General  STEVENSON  : 

In  case  the  railroad  to  Winchester  is  interferred  with  by 
guerillas,  I  want  you  to  arrest  all  male  secessionists  in  Charles- 
town,  Shepherdstown,  Smithfield,  and  Berryville,  and  in  the 
adjacent  country,  sending  them  to  Fort  McHenry,  Md.  You 


260  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

will  also  burn  all  grain,  destroy  all  subsistence,  and  drive  off 
all  stock  belonging  to  such  individuals,  and  turn  it  over  to 
the  treasury  agent.  • 

This  order  must  be  obeyed  by  you.  P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Major-General  Commanding. 

Could  Weyler  surpass  this?  Reconcentradoes  were  not  as 
inhumanly  treated.  For  fear  General  Stevenson  was  possessed 
of  the  quality  of  mercy  and  kindness,  he  endeavored  to  stifle 
such  emotions  with  the  demand  more  becoming  a  South 
African  potentate  than  an  American  citizen,  "  This  order  must 
be  obeyed" 

He  boasts  that  he  had  destroyed  the  Valley  for  ninety-two 
miles,  and  left  in  it  little  for  man  or  beast.  In  his  report  of 
October  27th,  after  informing  General  Halleck  of  various 
movements  he  was  making,  he  says : 

"  These,  with  other  demonstrations  which  I  will  make,  will 
secure  Augur  against  all  but  Mosby  and  the  numerous  rob 
bers  that  now  infest  the  country,  and  which  one  good  regi 
ment  could  clear  any  time,  if  the  regimental  commander  had 
spunk  enough  to  try  it.  There  is  a  regiment  of  cavalry  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  one  at  Martinsburg,  and  one  at  Winchester, 
which  is  a  sufficient  force  to  keep  the  lower  Valley  clear,  but 
they  do  not  do  it.  Brigadier-General  Dnffie  was  captured 
between  Winchester  and  Martinsburg.  I  respectfully  request 
his  dismissal  from  service.  I  think  him  a  trifling  man  and  a 
poor  soldier.  He  was  captured  by  his  own  stupidity." 

Poor  old  Duffie !  A  short  time  before  he  had  issued  his 
order  that  all  of  Mosby's  men  captured  should  be  hung,  and 
now  that  he  was  a  prisoner  among  Mosby's  men,  his  discom 
fiture  was  great;  especially  when  he  was  brought  before 
Colonel  Mosby,  with  a  copy  of  his  order.  Mosby  soon  saw 
that  his  punishment  already  suffered  was  greater  than  death, 
and  kindly  sent  him  off  to  Richmond,  but  not  until  he  had 
given  a  number  of  Mosby's  men  certificates  to  the  effect  that 
he  had  been  treated  with  great  civility,  and  wished  if  they 
should  be  captured,  that  they  should  be  treated  with  kindness 
and  consideration. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Over  the  river  they  beckon  to  me, 
Loved  ones  who've  crossed  to  the  farther  side; 

The  gleam  of  their  snowy  robes  I  see, 
But  their  voices  are  lost  in  the  dashing  tide, 

We  only  know  that  their  barks  no  more 

May  sail  with  us  o'er  life's  stormy  sea, 
Yet  somewhere,  I  know,  on  the  unseen  shore 

They  watch,  and  beckon  and  wait  for  me. 

Priest. 

About  the  middle  of  November,  General  Rosser  sent  me 
with  a  detail  of  six  men  from  Company  B  to  ascertain  the 
situation  and  number  of  Federal  troops  in  the  lower  Valley. 
After  obtaining  this  information,  I  concluded  that  I  would 
not  return  empty-handed,  and  finding  no  spot  more  inviting 
for  adventure  than  the  camp  of  a  company  of  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  doing  picket  duty  at  Keyes's  Ford,  on 
the  Shenandoah,  after  consultation,  we  determined  to  try  our 
hand  on  them.  On  the  night  of  the  22d  of  November,  pass 
ing  unnoticed  through  the  enemy's  infantry  picket  at  Hall- 
town,  the  rear  of  the  cavalry  picket  camp  was  gained.  As 
we  were  seven  to  about  fifty  of  the  enemy,  a  little  stragegy 
was  found  necessary,  and  the  attack  was  arranged  on  the 
Gideon  plan.  Much  to  our  surprise,  the  picket  force  had  a 
sentinel  on  guard  in  its  rear,  and  as  we  approached,  we  were 
halted  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  camp.  To  the  sen 
tinel's  demand,  "  Who  comes  there,"  I  responded,  "  Friends." 
"  Friends  to  whom?  "  was  the  demand.  "Abe  Lincoln,"  I 
replied.  "Advance  and  give  the  countersign,"  the  sentinel 
replied.  Cautioning  the  boys  that  so  soon  as  I  fired  they  were 
to  come  to  my  aid  with  all  the  speed  and  noise  possible,  I 
rode  forward,  but  before  I  reached  the  sentinel  he  fired  his 
gun  and  rapidly  retreated  to  camp.  It  is  recorded  in  the 

[261] 


262  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Bible,  "  The  stars  in  their  courses  fought  against  Sisera,"  and 
on  that  still  November  night,  as  with  the  rebel  yell  we 
charged  along  the  River  road,  the  Shenancfoah  and  the  Blue 
Ridge  echoing  and  re-echoing  our  shout  and  magnifying  our 
little  band  into  a  mighty  host,  fought  for  us,  and  we  dashed 
mto  the  enemy's  camp  to  find  only  some  50  riderless  horses 
and  13  men  too  much  frightened  to  run.  The  rest  had 
sought  safety  in  flight.  Gathering  up  13  prisoners  and  26 
horses,  ail  we  could  conveniently  manage,  we  crossed  the 
river  and  passed  out  of  the  enemy's  line  along  the  Blue  Ridge 
Mountain  road.  .  Arriving  at  headquarters  in  safety,  prisoners 
and  booty  were  disposed  of,  and  report  made  to  General 
Rosser.  On  the  following  day  we  obtained  permission  from 
the  General  for  Company  B  to  operate  in  the  lower  Valley. 
After  getting  within  the  enemy's  lines  the  company  was  dis 
banded,  with  directions  for  the  men  to  meet  at  a  certain  time 
and  place;  the  interim  was  spent  among  friends  and  acquaint 
ances,  changing  quarters  every  night  to  prevent  capture  by 
the  enemy. 

On  the  25th,  Ned  Aisquith  and  myself  ventured  to  spend  a 
night  at  my  home,  which  was  far  in  the  enemy's  rear,  on  the 
line  of  the  Winchester  and  Potomac  railroad,  then  operated 
by  Sheridan's  forces,  and  within  two  miles /of  Federal  camps 
on  either  side. 

Arriving  at  home  about  9  P.  M.,  we  placed  our  horses  in 
a  side  stable  of  a  large,  back  barn;  unsaddled,  unbridled,  and 
fed  them  and  entered  the  house,  then  occupied  by.  my  mother, 
sister,  and  three  small  brothers.  The  boys  were  fast  asleep. 
To  attract  as  little  attention  as  possible,  we  went  to  my 
mother's  chamber,  and  \vere  soon  enjoying  some  wine  and 
cake,  for  soldiers  were  always  hungry  and  never  refused  to 
eat.  We  had  not  been  seated  more  than  a  half-hour,  when  my 
sister,  in  passing  a  front  window,  exclaimed  in  affright,  "  Oh, 
look  at  the  Yankees !  "  We  did  not  look,  but,  using  our  wits, 
prepared  for  action.  Unbuckling  our  sabers,  we  hid  them 
between  the  two  mattresses  of  the  bed.  Just  then  knocks 


Isaac  H.  Strider. 


264  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

were  heard  at  the  front  door,  and  I  told  mother  to  let  them  in, 

as  I  knew  they  would  break  down  the  door  if  refused  admit- 

• 

tance.  My  plans  were  matured  and  confidence  restored. 
Mother,  taking  a  lamp,  started  downstairs  on  her  mission,  and 
I  followed  a  short  distance  behind,  with  Ned  Aisquith  at  my 
heels,  and  reached  a  side  door  to  the  hall,  opening  on  a  side 
porch,  next  to  the  garden.  Fortunately  for  us,  a  puff  of  wind 
extinguished  my  mother's  lamp,  and  we  passed  out  unnoticed 
and  soon  mingled  with  the  Yankees  around  the  house,  the 
night  being  too  dark  to  distinguish  gray  from  blue.  Passing- 
through  them  slowly,  so  as  not  to  attract  attention,  we  hast 
ened  to  the  stable  to  procure  our  horses.  When  we  reached 
the  barn  we  were  surprised  to  find  the  Yankees  there,  search 
ing  the  stable,  but  as  the  side  stable  was  not  visible  from  the 
front  of  the  barn,  our  horses  had  escaped  their  search.  Enter 
ing  through  a  feed-room,  access  was  obtained  to  our  horses, 
which  were  in  a  few  moments  bridled,  saddled,  and  mounted. 
Opening  a  side  door,  we  rode  out,  and  were  met  by  an  inquiry 
from  the  Yankees,  "  Well,  boys,  did  you  find  those  horses?  " 
to  which  I  answered,  "  Yes;  a  couple  of  old  rips,"  and  started 
in  the  direction  of  the  house,  but  soon  changed  our  course 
to  an  opposite  point  of  the  compass.  Just  as  we  were  begin 
ning  to  feel  safe  out  of  the  enemy's  clutches  we  were  suddenly 
halted  by  a  picket  stationed  beyond  the  barn.  Veering  to 
avoid  this  picket  and  making  no  answer,  we  passed  out  with 
out  further  molestation. 

After  being  routed  from  home,  we  went  to  the  home  of  my 
brother-in-law,  about  a  mile  distant,  and  fastening  our  horses 
in  a  thicket  a  short  distance  from  his  house  and  supplying 
them  with  a  good  feed  from  his  corn-field,  we  laid  down  be 
neath  the  stars  and  slept  as  sweetly  as  the  babes  in  the  woods. 

In  the  morning,  having  fed  our  horses  (the  horse  was 
always  first  in  a  cavalryman's  thoughts),  the  house  was 
approached  from  the  rear,  our  horses  fastened  behind  the 
smoke-house,  and  we  entered  the  dining-room  to  get  break 
fast.  As  we  were  being  seated  at  the  table,  through  extra 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  265 

precaution,  we  walked  to  the  front  door  to  take  a  survey  of 
the  situation,  and  discovered  a  company  of  Federal  cavalry 
entering  the  front-yard  gate.  Quickly  taking  unceremonious 
leave,  we  mounted  our  horses,  and  leaping  the  rear-yard 
fence,  reached  the  thicket,  where  the  preceding  night  was 
spent,  before  the  enemy  reached  the  rear  of  the  house.  Con 
cealed  in  the  thicket,  we  watched  the  enemy's  movements. 
We  saw  them  ride  around  the  house,  make  some  inquiry  of 
the  servants,  and  then  pass  out  the  lane.  Being  now  satisfied 
the  way  was  clear,  we  returned  to  the  house,  and  enjoyed 
our  breakfast. 

On  the  night  of  the  29th,  with  30  men  of  Company  B,  we 
attacked  the  camp  of  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  at 
Charlestown.  Passing  through  the  enemy's  picket  line, 
through  a  hollow  just  east  of  the  town,  under  cover  of  a  cloud 
of  fog  such  as  usually  hangs  on  autumn  nights  over  the  little 
valleys  near  the  river,  and  unobserved  by  the  sentry  on  the 
adjacent  hills,  we  reached  in  safety  the  north  side  of  the  town 
and  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  camp,  and  rode  quietly  to  a  point 
near  the  block-house,  about  twenty  yards  from  the  camp. 
Here  the  men  dismounted,  leaving  the  horses  in  charge  of  the 
fourth  man  in  each  file  of  fours,  and  noiselessly  gained  the 
block-house.  Here  was  the  picture  of  Fitz  Greene  Halleck's 
poetical  fancy: 

"At  midnight  in  his  guarded  tent, 
The  Turk  was  dreaming  of  the  hour." 

Stealthily  moving  on,  the  sleeping  camp  was  entered,  and 
the  occupants  awoke  to  find  themselves  prisoners.  There  was 
sudden  confusion  and  scampering  among  the  enemy.  Some 
twenty  of  their  number,  lodged  in  a  stone  house  near  by, 
opened  fire  on  us.  Recognizing  the  gravity  of  the  situation, 
we  rushed  upon  the  house,  and,  seizing  the  door  and  windows, 
poured  several  volleys  into  the  building.  Just  as  George 
Crayton,  my  brother  Robert  W.  Baylor,  Jr.  (a  boy  of  seven 
teen),  and  myself  entered  the  door,  several  shots  were  fired 
by  the  inmates,  one  mortally  wounding  my  brother  and 


266  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

another  severely  wounding  Crayton.  A  few  moments  after, 
the  cry  of  surrender  came  from  the  group  huddled  together 
in  the  building,  and  the  firing  ceased.  My*brother  and  Cray- 
ton  were  removed  to  the  house  of  Dr.  Mason,  who  had  been 
for  years  our  family  physician,  and  where  I  knew  they  would 
be  well  cared  for.  My  brother  died  in  a  few  hours,  but  Cray- 
ton  rallied  for  awhile,  and  died  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
The  loss  of  these  two  gallant  soldiers  was  deeply  deplored  by 
their  comrades,  and  especially  by  myself.  On  the  same  day, 
just  one  year  before,  my  brother  Richard  had  been  killed  in  a 
cavalry  engagement  at  Parker's  Store,  near  Fredericksburg, 
and  of  the  four  members  of  .the  family  in  the  company  I  was 
the  last.  In  this  engagement  we  killed  and  wounded  n  of 
the  enemy,  captured  27  prisoners  and  37  horses  and  equip 
ments. 

It  seems  a  little  strange  in  the  light  of  recent  publications 
of  the  War  Records  that  success  attended  us  in  this  attack, 
for  we  find  that  as  early  as  November  23d,  the  day  after  the 
attack  at  Keyes's  Ford,  General  Sheridan  dispatched  General 
Stevenson  at  Harper's  Ferry  as  follows : 

KERNSTOWN,  VA.,  November  23,  1864. 
General :  It  is  reported  that  Major  Congdon,  of  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  reports  the  enemy  in  force  at  or  near 
Charlestown.  Find  out  if  he  has  made  this  untruthful  report. 
If  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  cannot  keep  that  coun 
try  clear  of  guerillas,  I  will  take  the  shoulder  straps  off  every 
officer  belonging  to  the  regiment  and  dismount  the  regiment 
in  disgrace.  P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Major-General. 

And  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month  he  wires  the  command 
ing  officer  at  Charlestown : 

KERNSTOWN,  VA.,  November  28,  1864. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Charlestown,  Va. : 

Look  out  for  Mosby  to-night. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Major-General. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  267 

And  Captain  Payne,  commanding  the  Twelfth  Pennsyl 
vania  on  the  night  of  the  attack,  in  his  report,  says : 

1  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  accordance  with  infor 
mation  of  yesterday,  our  reserve  post  was  attacked  by  the 
rebels  last  night  between  the  hours  of  n  and  12  o'clock,  kill 
ing  two  men,  wounding  one,  and  capturing  five  of  our  men 
and  19  horses.  The  enemy  lost  in  killed,  one  man  (a  young 
Baylor),  and  three  wounded.  They  were  about  200  strong, 
and  attacked  the  post  from  different  directions,  dismounted. 
They  were  commanded  by  a  major.  Lieutenant  Baylor  was 
also  with  them,  as  his  name  was  frequently  mentioned  by 
them  at  the  time  of  the  attack. 

NATHANIEL  PAYNE, 

Lieutenant  S.  F.  ADAMS,  Captain  Commanding. 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 

Harper's  Ferry,  W.  Va. 

The  eyes  of  the  Captain  on  that  night  evidently  had  large 
magnifying  powers  when  viewing  our  little  band  of  30  men, 
and  corresponding  minimizing  powders  when  recounting  his 
loss  on  that  occasion.  He  was  afraid  of  General  Sheridan's 
threat. 

After  the  fight  at  Charlestown,  we  retired  to  the  neighbor 
hood  of  Milldale,  and  got  rid  of  our  prisoners  and  booty.  The 
enemy,  it  seems,  took  a  scout  around,  as  usual  after  a  fight, 
and  reported  as  follows : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

December  i,  1864. 
Major  WILLIAM  RUSSELL,  Jr., 

Assistant  Adjutant-General  Cavalry : 

Major, — The  reconnoisance  sent  out  yesterday  under 
Major  T.  Gibson,  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  has  re 
turned,  having  thoroughly  scouted  the  country  between  Mill 
wood  and  Summit  Point  to  near  Charlestown.  No  enemy 
was  seen.  Mosby  was  reported  to  have  been  in  Berryville  on 
the  29th.  Baylor,  who  commanded  the  party  of 'rebels  which 
fought  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  at  Charlestown,  \vas 
killed,  with  one  man.  The  party  dispersed  after  the  fight. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  B.  TIBBITTS, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 


268  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

I  am,  notwithstanding  this  report,  thanks  to  a  kind 
Providence,  still  alive  and  hearty.  We  were  not  quiet  very 
long.  On  the  6th  day  of  December,  with* about  35  men,  we 
made  a  little  scout  in  the  direction  of  the  Double  Tollgate, 
near  White  Post,  expecting  to  meet  some  scouting  party  of 
the  enemy  in  that  direction.  We  remained  in  that  vicinity 
until  about  3  P.  M.,  when  we  returned  to  Milldale,  and  there 
learned  that  two  companies  of  the  Twenty-first  New  York 
Cavalry,  numbering  about  100  men,  had  been  there  before  us, 
had  taken  Jim  Randall,  one  of  our  men,  prisoner,  had  plun 
dered  the  good  citizens  of  everything  valuable,  and  were  not 
more  than  twenty  minutes  ahead  of  us.  That  was  enough. 
Though  we  were  greatly  inferior  in  numbers,  all  clamored  for 
pursuit.  We  started  at  a  brisk  trot  and  overtook  them  in 
about  a  mile.  A  charge  was  ordered,  and  we  came  down  on 
them  "  like  a  wolf  on  the  fold,"  with  the  usual  rebel  yell.  In 
an  instant  we  were  among  them,  and  they  in  full  retreat.  Just 
as  I  passed  the  rear  of  their  column  I  saw  Jim  Randall  in  a 
fence  corner  disarming  one  of  his  captors.  He  recognized 
us,  and  shouted,  "  Give  them  hell,  boys!  "  and  we  did.  There 
was  no  halt  or  hesitation  among  our  men.  It  seemed  that 
each  one  was  trying  to  be  foremost.  Lieutenant  Holcombe, 
wrho  was  commanding  the  Yankee  detachment,  tried  to  rally 
his  men,  and  at  last,  in  very  desperation,  planted  his  horse 
across  the  road  to  stop  them,  but  they  deserted  him,  and  soon 
our  boys,  with  well-directed  shots  from  their  pistols,  rolled 
him  and  his  horse  on  the  ground.  It  was  about  this  point  in 
the  melee  that  our  gallant  comrade,  Charles  Broadway  Rouss, 
who  was  always  in  the  forefront  in  a  fight,  as  he  is  in  business 
to-day,  bulged  into  a  Federal  trooper,  knocking  him  and  his 
horse  down;  but  the  shock  threw  his  horse  also,  and  the  bold 
rider  landed  about  fifteen  feet  off  in  a  fence  corner.  But  the 
net  spot-cash  vigor  and  nerve  was  in  him  then  as  now,  and, 
mounting  again,  he  was  soon  among  the  foremost  in  the 
pursuit,  which  continued  for  three  miles  or  more.  In  this 


A.  H.  Aisquith  and  L.  L.  Sadler. 


270  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

engagement  we  killed  and  wounded  17,  captured  35  prisoners 
and  37  horses  and  equipments. 

On  the  next  morning  General  Tibbitts  reports  as  follows  to 
General  Sheridan : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

December  7,  1864. 
Major  WILLIAM  RUSSELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General  of  Cavalry: 
Major, — Yesterday  morning  a  detachment  of  50  men  of 
the  Twenty-first  New  York  Cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Hoi- 
combe,  was  sent  to  patrol  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of 
Morgan's  and  Howellsville  fords  of  the  Shenandoah,  with 
orders  to  return  via  Millwood.  Full  instructions  were  given 
to  Lieutenant  Holcombe,  and  he  was  cautioned  to  be  con 
stantly  on  the  alert  and  ready  for  an  attack.  It  appears  from 
the  statement  of  an  officer  who  was  with  Lieutenant  Hol 
combe,  that  he  was  attacked  when  near  Millwood  by  a  party 
of  about  30  of  the  enemy,  who  came  up  the  road  in  his  rear. 
At  the  same  time  another  party  attacked  them  in  the  flank. 
There  was  apparently  no  fight  at  all,  but  a  rapid  and  disgrace 
ful  flight.  Lieutenant  Holcombe  was  captured,  and  about  30 
of  his  men.  The  remainder  have  come  in.  I  transmit  this  at 
the  hands  of  one  of  the  officers  who  was  with  the  party.  The 
men  will  be  sent  immediately. 

Respectfully,  WM.  B.  TIBBITTS, 

Brevet  Brigadier-General. 

Again  on  the  same  day  he  reports  as  follows : 

The  scouts  to  the  fprds  of  the  Shenandoah  have  returned 
and  report  all  quiet.  Lieutenant  Holcombe  was  found  at  a 
house  near  White  Post  badly  wounded.  Three  of  his  men 
were  killed;  27  captured.  The  number  of  the  enemy  is  esti 
mated  at  35.  WM.  B.  TIBBITTS, 

Brigadier-General. 

A  summary  of  these  fights — November  22d  and  29th,  and 
December  6th — will  show  that  in  fifteen  days,  with  a  company 
whose  ranks  had  been  depleted  in  a  hard  campaign  with  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  fighting  on  each  occasion  greatly 
superior  numbers,  we  had  killed  and  wounded  28,  captured 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 


271 


75  men,  and  100  horses  and  equipments.  Before  closing  I 
wish  to  do  justice  to  Lieutenant  Nelson  B.  Holcombe.  In 
reading  over  the  War  Records  I  find  the  following: 

KERNSTOWN,  VA.,  December  9,  1864. 

Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Chief  of  Staff: 

I  have  nothing  to  report  except  the  surprise  and  capture 
of  a  party  of  27  men  of  the  Twenty-first  New  York  Cavalry. 
They  belonged  to  a  scouting  party  of  the  Second  Cavalry 
Division.  The  officer  in  command  was  Lieutenant  Holcombe. 
He  was  wounded.  I  have  dismissed  him  from  the  service. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

I  do  not  know  whether  Lieutenant  Holcombe  is  dead  or. 
alive.  If  alive,  this  may  be  some  consolation  to  him;  if  dead, 
as  I  had  supposed  from  the  nature  of  his  wounds,  a  just 
tribute  to  his  memory.  My  comrades  and  myself  will  cheer 
fully  bear  testimony  to  the  fact  that  Lieutenant  Holcombe, 
of  all  the  men  in  his  command,  bore  himself  most  gallantly  in 
this  fight.  Having  used  his  utmost  endeavors  to  rally  his 
men,  and  finding  his  efforts  of  no  avail,  he  threw  himself  in 
the  breach,  and,  foremost  fighting,  fell. 

Comrade  Rouss  draws  from  this  fight  a  useful  lesson  for  the 
battle  of  life  and  business,  and  shows  that  success  is  due  to 
vigilance  and  to  holding  our  forces  well  in  hand  for  sudden 
emergencies.  He  says :  "  I  recall  a  parallel.  A  quarter  of  a 
century  ago,  in  the  war  times,  when  Sheridan  was  sweeping 
up  the  old  Valley  with  fire  and  sword  with  barbaric  savagery, 
he  had  sent  three  hundred  old  defenceless  people  to  prison, 
among  them  my  father.  He  had  just  burned  the  town  of 
Dayton  because  one  of  his  plunderers  had  been  shot,  and  he 
had  heard  of  the  meeting  of  a  few  rebel  dare-devils  on  the 
Shenandoah  and  sent  a  Lieutenant  Holcombe,  of  the  Twenty- 
first  New  York  Cavalry,  with  100  picked  blue-coats,  to  kill  or 
capture  the  30  desperadoes  who  had  ventured  so  far  within 
his  lines.  There  was  some  miscalculation  as  to  time,  how- 


272  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ever.  Holcombe  had  been  there,  and  was  leisurely  returning, 
disappointed  in  his  game,  had  ransacked  every  chicken-coop, 
smoke-house  and  d welling,  and  his  tired  «boys  were  loaded 
down  with  pigs,  ducks,  turkeys,  hams,  eggs,  and  the  devil 
only  knows  what  they  had  not.  Thus  they  were  loaded  down 
with  collaterals  and  negotiables,  when  that  hungry,  reckless 
little  band  of  rough-riders  struck  them  without  counting,  and 
charged  with  the  old  rebel  yell.  God  Almighty !  It  was  all 
over  in  less  time  than  I  write  it.  We  got  65  prisoners,  29 
were  killed  and  wounded;  u  got  awray.  We  would  have  had 
them  all,  but  one  big  German  Yank  stood  square  in  the  road 
brandishing  his  sword.  He  could  not  get  out  of  the  way 
nor  could  we  stop.  Baylor  and  I,  side  by  side,  struck  him 
.first.  The  collision  was  terrific;  right  after  us  came  thunder 
ing  the  rest.  Some  had  a  dozen  pistols.  I  had  seven  on  my 
belt  that  day.  Yes;  that  big  fellow,  that  couldn't  say  a  word 
in  English,  piled  us  all  up  in  the  road  and  saved  the  balance 
of  his  command.  I  found  myself  twenty  feet  away.  I  never 
saw  Baylor  again  until  night,  but  the  3OO-pounder  lay  coiled 
up  in  the  fence  corner,  dead  as  Julius  Caesar,  and  the  fleet- 
footed  few  escaped,  or  we  would  have  had  every  one.  The 
heroic  lieutenant  was  as  fierce  and  fearless  as  a  lion,  but  his 
men  were  massed  in  the  road,  paralyzed  and  pulverized  before 
they  had  time  to  fight  or  surrender.  Like  the  rich  old  hun 
dred  percenter  in  the  sweat-box,  his  assets  were  in  bad  shape, 
and  on  that  country  road,  within  rifle-shot  of  the  camp-fires 
around  old  Winchester,  by  the  Timberlake  farm,  that  splendid 
soldier  yielded  up  his  life. 

"  That  night  on  the  Blue  Ridge,  that  tired  little  iron  band 
of  victors  had  chicken  and  pies  and  cake,  and  lamb  and  sau 
sage,  and  real  coffee,  and  we  fed  the  Yankees  on  Confederate 
hard-tack  and  water.  The  Great  Lord  had  fought  for  us  that 
day,  and  we  went  to  bed  for  once  on  a  full  stomach,  and  in 
the  drenching  rain  slept  sound,  never  dreaming  of  the  mor 
row.  Had  the  heroic  Holcombe  had  his  forces  in  fighting 
trim,  it  would  have  been  desperate  work  for  us — four  to  one— 
but  he  was  in  bad  shape,  and  in  consequence  he  went  down." 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

Gold!      Gold!      Gold!      Gold! 
Bright  and  yellow,  hard  and  cold, 
Molten,  graven,  hammered  and  rolled; 
Heavy  to  get,  and  light  to  hold; 
Hoarded,  bartered,  bought  and  sold, 
Stolen,  borrowed,  squandered,  doled. 

Hood. 

Several  days  after  the  Stone  Bridge  fight  I  learned  through 
a  reliable  source  that  a  bank  had  been  established  at  Sharps- 
burg,  McL,  and  that  there  was  a  considerable  deposit  of  funds 
in  the  institution.  The  news  had  the  effect  of  a  Klondike 
craze  on  our  impoverished  men.  Go,  I  must.  With  15  men 
I  essayed  to  cross  the  Potomac,  some  thirty  miles  in  rear  of 
the  enemy's  lines,  and  remove  this  deposit  further  South, 
where  it  was  sorely  needed  and  could  be  more  easily  circu 
lated.  The  enemy  at  this  time  occupied  Winchester,  Summit 
Point,  Charlestown,  Halltown,  Harper's  Ferry,  and  stations 
along  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  By  passing  through 
this  line  at  night  we  could  avoid  all  obstacles  to  crossing  the 
Potomac  at  Butler's  Ford,  ascending  the  river,  crossing  the 
canal  on  the  bridge  opposite  Shepherdstown,  and  after  a  short 
ride,  reaching  Sharpsburg,  seizing  our  coveted  booty,  and 
returning  to  the  Blue  Ridge  before  daylight.  The  scheme 
seemed  feasible,  the  prize  was  alluring,  and  our  hearts  were 
in  the  enterprise. 

Crossing  the  Shenandoah  near  Manning's  Ferry  just  after 
dark  on  the  night  of  the  I2th  of  December,  we  passed  safely 
through  the  enemy's  lines  between  Charlestown  and  Hall- 
town,  and  proceeded  safely  on  our  way.  When  near  the 
Terrill  farm  we  ran  upon  some  Federal  infantry  engaged  in 
the  not  very  laudable  enterprise  of  stealing  sheep.  We  talked 
with  them  (feigning  to  belong  to  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania 
18  [2^73] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Cavalry,  which  we  knew  was  stationed  at  Charlestown),  gave 
them  some  sound  views  on  the  violation  of  the  Eighth  Com 
mandment,  and  pressed  on  to  Butler's  Ford,  where  we  crossed 
the  river  and  started  up  the  towpath  towards  Shepherdstown 
in  order  to  get  over  the  canal.  A  short  distance  up  the 
towpath  we  met  several  canalboats  loaded  with  grain  on  the 
way  to  Washington.  As  we  passed  the  mule  drivers  we  re 
sponded  to  their  inquiries  of  ''what  command?''  "Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry." 

Leaving  them  behind  we  were  soon  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  bridge  over  the  canal,  when  we  were  suddenly  halted  by 
a  half-dozen  soldiers  standing  near  the  north  abutment  of  the 
Potomac  bridge.  This  was  not  in  our  program,  and  to  say 
we  were  surprised,  puts  the  matter  very  gently.  To  their 
inquiry,  "  Who  comes  there?  "  I  responded,  "  Friend,"  and 
in  a  few  moments  the  Sergeant  was  at  my  side,  with  his 
hand  on  my  knee  in  the  most  friendly  manner.  Fortunately, 
the  night  was  dark  and  little  flakes  of  snow  were  falling.  Our 
enemies  were  soon  at  ease  and  a  good  deal  easier  than  we 
were.  The  men  behind  me  were  still  as  mice,  and  Lheir  silence 
somewhat  oppressed  me.  I  informed  the  guard  that  we  were 
a  scouting  party  sent  out  by  General  Stevenson  (commander 
at  Harper's  Ferry),  to  arrest  some  disloyal  citizens  at  Sharps- 
burg,  and  belonged  to  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  but 
had  not  been  given  the  countersign,  and  did  not  know  we  had 
to  pass  through  any  of  our  troops.  The  Sergeant  very  cour 
teously  responded  that  they  belonged  to  the  Sixth  Pennsyl 
vania  Cavalry,  and  had  been  sent  to  that  post  on  that  day; 
that  he  would  call  the  officer  of  the  guard,  who,  no  doubt, 
would  pass  us  through — and  he  proceeded  to  make  his  call. 
We  then,  for  the  first  time,  recognized  the  cavalry  camp  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  canal,  and  our  better  judgment  called 
for  a  retreat,  as  we  were  largely  outnumbered. 

The  officer,  a  captain,  was  soon  fully  satisfied  of  our  gen 
uineness,  leaned  up  against  my  horse  and  kindly  offered  to 
pass  us  through  and  back.  But  the  risk  was  too  great. 


B» 


Seth  M.  Timberlake. 


276  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Visions  of  rope  floated  before  me.  The  boys,  in  making  a 
run  on  the  bank  in  Sharpsburg,  would  likely  create  some  dis 
turbance  if  their  checks  were  not  promptly  honored,  and  the 
troops  at  Shepherdstown,  receiving  notice,  would  probably 
bar  our  retreat,  and  all  would,  most  likely,  be  hung  up  before 
morning.  In  order,  however,  to  further  allay  suspicion,  I 
informed  the  Captain  that  I  did  not  like  the  business  intrusted 
to  me  (and  to  his  honor  be  it  said,  he  didn't,  either),  and 
would  rather  he  would  decline  to  let  me  pass,  as  then  I  could 
go  back  and  report  to  General  Stevenson  that  he  had  failed 
to  give  me  the  countersign,  and  we  could  not  get  to  Sharps- 
burg.  To  this  he  readily  assented,  and  I  ordered  the  boys  to 
face  about,  which  movement  was  responded  to  in  double- 
quick  time,  and  we  were  soon  retracing  our  steps  down  the 
towpath. 

We  had  been  foiled  in  our  monetary  enterprise,  and  it  was 
a  sore  disappointment,  but  we  soon  determined  not  to  go 
home  empty-handed.  Quickening  our  gait,  we  soon  over 
took  the  canalboats  passed  on  our  trip  up,  and  mules  being 
the  next  best  currency,  proceeded  to  lay  hold  of  these,  all 
the  time  asserting  we  were  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry 
and  were  impressing  them  for  government  service.  We 
gathered  up  some  15  or  16  and  took  the  drivers  with  us  to 
help  bring  them  off.  The  boats  were  loaded  with  contraband, 
but  mothers  and  children  were  on  board,  and  our  hearts  were 
too  tender  to  turn  them  out  on  that  rough  night,  so  they 
escaped  destruction.  \Ve  recrossed  the  river  with  our  booty, 
and  with  quiet  steps  were  soon  in  the  neighborhood  of  our 
friend  William  Beall's  farm,  where  we  discharged  the  drivers, 
telling  them  we  could  now  safely  take  the  mules  into  Charles- 
town,  and  they  could  return  to  their  boats.  After  we  were 
out  of  sight  of  them  we  deflected  from  the  route  to  Charles- 
town,  recrossed  the  Shenandoah  near  Manning's  Ferry,  and 
laid  down  to  rest  at  our  old  friend  Nat  Manning's  house,  to 
whom,  in  consideration  of  his  kindness,  we  presented  some 
six  sets  of  harness  which  we  had  brought  off.  After  the  war 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  277 

I  saw  his  team  in  Charlestown  accoutred  with  that  same 
harness. 

We  learned  a  few  clays  afterward  that  we  had  caused  a 
little  commotion  in  the  camp  of.  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  as  several  hardy  boatmen  had  appeared  there  on  the 
next  day,  charging  that  honorable  command  with  stealing 
mules;  but,  no  mules  being  found,  the  crime  was  laid  at  the 
feet  of  Mosby's  men — the  scapegoats  of  Confederates  in  these 
parts. 

General  Stevenson  seems  to  have  been  a  little  provoked  at 
our  interruption  by  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  for  on 
the  next  day  he  indites  the  following  letter : 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  VA.,  December  13,  1864. 
Major-General  SHERIDAN  : 

General  Sullivan  has  established  a  line  of  pickets  on  the 
Potomac  river  near  Shepherdstown,  with  instructions  to 
permit  no  crossing,  they  refusing  to  permit  a  patrol  of  mine 
to  cross  the  river.  I  would  respectfully  ask  if  General  Sulli 
van  is  acting  under  orders  from  superior  headquarters.  The 
pickets  are  within  this  military  district,  as  I  understand  its 
limits.  JOHN.  D.  STEVENSON, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding, 
Military  District,  Harper's  Ferry. 

To  this  letter  General  Sheridan  replies : 

HEADQUARTERS,  WINCHESTER,  VA., 

December  13,  1864. 
General  STEVENSON  : 

General  Sullivan  is  not  on  duty,  but  awaiting  orders.  You 
must  pitch  into  him.  I  have  ordered  the  quartermaster's 
department  at  Hagerstown  broken  up  and  turned  in  to  you. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN,  Major-General. 

Armed  with  this  authority,  the  irate  General  writes  as 
follows : 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  VA.,  December  14,  1864. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER  SIXTH  PENNSYLVANIA  CAVALRY: 

I  understand  that  you  have  established  a  line  of  pickets  on 


278  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

the  Potomac  river,  under  orders  from  Brigadier-General 
Sullivan,  interfering  with  the  crossing  of  the  Potomac  river 
by  persons  with  my  passes,  and  also  refufsing  to  allow7  my 
patrol  to  cross.  Major-General  Sheridan  has  telegraphed  me 
that  General  Sullivan  is  not  on  duty,  but  awaiting  orders,  and 
is  not  authorized  to  assume  any  command.  This  interference 
by  your  pickets  in  my  military  district  with  my  command  is 
all  wrong.  I  desire  you  either  at  once  to  withdraw  your 
pickets,  or  instruct  them  that  they  are  alone  to  prevent  cross 
ing  of  contraband  articles  or  rebels,  and  not  to  interrupt  loyal 
citizens  or  troops  on  duty.  JOHN  D  STEVENSON, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding, 
Military  District,  Harper's  Ferry. 

It  would  seem  that  Generals  Sheridan  and  Stevenson  were 
our  friends  and  much  incensed  at  our  interception  and  inter 
ruption  by  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania. Cavalry  on  this  occasion, 
and  if  General  Sullivan  had  attended  to  his  own  business  and 
let  other  people's  alone,  especially  General  Stevenson's,  we 
might  have  returned  shouting  like  the  fortunate  back-comers 
from  the  Klondike. 

The  weather  in  December  became  intensely  cold,  and  the 
ground  was  covered  with  snow.  General  Lee  and  his  army 
entered  the  winter  under  the  most  disadvantageous  and  de 
pressing  circumstances.  General  Sherman  had  marched  across 
Georgia  to  the  sea,  and  the  Confederacy  was  divided  in  twain. 
Our  railroad  communications  with  Richmond  were  being 
frequently  cut,  rations  for  men  and  forage  for  horses  had 
become  exceedingly  scarce,  and  Lee's  men  were  really  suffer 
ing  from  hunger.  Our  army  was  greatly  depleted  and  could 
not  be  recruited.  The  situation  was  desperate.  Desertion  was 
frequent,  but  possibly  not  more  frequent  among  us  than 
among  our  well-fed  and  well-clothed  enemies.  On  December 
20,  1864,  we  find  the  following: 

Major-General  A.  V.  KAUTZ,  • 

Commanding  Cavalry  Division : 

General, — The  great  number  of  desertions  that  we  are  now 
having  from  this  army  makes  it  necessary  to  exercise  unusual 
vigilance  and  precaution  to  stop  it.  The  Major-General  com- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  279 

manding  directs,  therefore,  that  you  instruct  your  officers  and 
men  on  outpost  and  picket  duty  to  use  their  utmost  endeavors 
to  arrest  all  whom  they  may  see  trying  to  desert;  if  necessary, 
to  pursue  and  shoot  them  down.  You  will  also  inform  your 
men  that  for  every  deserter  apprehended  a  reward  of  $30  and 
a  month's  furlough  will  be  granted  to  the  soldier  making  the 
arrest.  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  W.  TURNER, 
Brigadier-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

The  investing  army  of  General  Grant  was  now  fully  three 
times  as  large  as  the  defensive  army  of  General  Lee,  but  the 
morale  of  the  latter  was  never  better.  The  small  force  of 
General  Early  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  was  now  diminished 
to  supply  General  Lee's  need  in  this  dire  extremity.  The 
Confederate  cavalry  now  in  the  Valley  was  scarce  one-fourth 
that  of  the  Federal  cavalry.  In  the  October  report  of  Sheri 
dan's  army  the  effective  men  for  duty  in  this  arm  of  the  service 
is  given  as  9,704,  but  in  February  we  find  the  following: 

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Washington,  D.  C,  February  28,  1865. 

Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C. : 
Sir, — The  great  consumption  of  horses  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  is  a  most  serious  expense.  It  is  reported  to  me  that 
the  last  reports  show  a  cavalry  force  in  that  region  of  a  total 
strength,  present  and  absent,  of  26,803  men;  present  for  duty, 
11,214  men,  and  that  there  have  been  forwarded  to  the  Shen 
andoah  Valley  between  the  ist  of  December,  1864,  and  2Oth 
of  February,  1865,  8,265  cavalry  horses  as  remounts.  The 
government  has  apparently  replaced  the  horses  of  three- 
fourths  of  the  men  present  for  duty  in  less  than  three  months, 
during  which  time  there  has  been  no  great  battle. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  C.  MEIGS, 
Quartermaster-General  and  Brevet  Major-General. 

To  oppose  this  immense  body  General  Rosser  had  some 
4,000  men,  and  with  these  the  enemy  was  successfully  harassed 


280  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

in  every  direction,  and  kept  in  such  a  constant  state  of  alarm 
that  General  Sheridan  seems  to  have  lostjiis  temper,  and 
writes : 

WINCHESTER,  VA.,  December  22,  1864. 
Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War: 

Governor  Boreman's  telegram  received.  If  I  were  to  make 
disposition  of  the  troops  of  my  command  in  accordance  with 
the  information  received  from  the  commanders  in  the  Depart 
ment  of  Western  Virginia,  whom  I  have  found,  as  a  general 
thing,  always  alarming  in  their  reports  and  stupid  in  their 
duties  and  actions,  I  certainly  would  have  my  hands  full.  I 
believe  many  of  them  more  interested  in  coal  oil  than  in 
the  public  service.  It  was  only  yesterday  that  Rosser  was  at 
Crab  Bottom,  according  to  their  reports,  on  which,  at  the 
suggestion  of  General  Crook,  I  sent  a  regiment  to  Beverly. 
It  was  only  two  or  three  days  previous  that  Rosser  was  at 
Romney.  They  have  annoyed  me  until,  with  your  sanction, 
I  would  take  great  pleasure  in  bringing  some  of  them  to  grief. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN,  Major-General. 

On  December  2Oth,  Sheridan  sends  General  Custer  with 
two  brigades  (Chapman's  and  Pennington's)  up  the  Valley  to 
the  James  river  and  across  to  Lynchburg,  and  General  Tor- 
bert,  with  two  divisions,  by  way  of  the  east  side  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  to  the  same  destination,  as  will  be  seen  by  his  order: 

WINCHESTER,  VA.,  December  20,  1864. 
Lieutenant-General  GRANT  : 

Information  from  General  Custer  is  to  the  effect  that 
Rodes's  Division  has  gone  to  Richmond,  and  he  thinks  part 
of  Wharton's.  Rosser  went  back  toward  Lynchburg,  and  it 
is  said  intended  to  go  in  the  direction  of  Wytheville.  I  have 
ordered  Custer  up  the  Valley  to  the  James  river  and  across 
to  Lynchburg.  1  have  ordered  Torbert  to  edge  in  close  to 
the  Blue  Ridge,  so  as  to  avoid  the  headwaters  of  the  Rapidan, 
and  to  strike  the  railroad  at  Charlottesville,  and  follow  up  to 
Lynchburg,  communicate  with  Custer,  and  unite  with  him. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN,  Major-General. 


Charles  Trussell. 


282  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

On  the  2 ist,  he  wires  General  Grant: 

"  I  heard  from  General  Custer  at  Harrisonburg.  He  is  in 
fine  spirits,  and  says  he  will,  he  hopes,  spend  his  Christmas  in 
Lynchburg.  I  heard  from  General  Torbert  last  night.  He 
was  then  near  Sperryville.  The  weather  is  so  bad — rain,  snow 
and  sleet — that  I  feel  a  great  deal  of  anxiety  about  the  horses. 
There  are  about  8,000  men  on  this  raid;  no  artillery  or 
wagons." 

But  hopes  are  often  blasted,  and  so  they  were  with  Custer. 
He  shouted  before  he  was  out  of  the  woods,  and  the  next 
communication  is  less  buoyant,  as  will  be  seen  by  Sheridan's 
telegram  to  Grant  of  date  December  22,  1864: 

"  General  Custer  reports  that  at  or  near  Harrisonburg  he 
encountered  Rosser's  Division  of  Cavalry,  supported  by 
Rodes's  Division  of  Infantry,  the  cavalry  and  infantry  having 
marched  from  Waynesborough  to  meet  him,  and  after  a  sharp 
fight  before  daylight  he  was  obliged  to  come  back.  He  cap 
tured  two  battle-flags  and  33  prisoners.  He  has  not  yet 
reported  to  me  the  particulars.  The  fight  was  between  Chap 
man's  Brigade  of  Custer's  Division,  and  Payne's  Brigade 
of  Rosser's  cavalry.  Panye's  charged  Chapman's  camp,  but 
Chapman  was  ready  for  him.  I  have  not  heard  from  Torbert, 
but  sent  this  evening  to  apprise  him  of  the  condition  of  affairs 
with  Custer." 

On  the  24th  of  December,  Sheridan  wires  General  Grant 
as  follows : 

"  I  have  no  information  from  General  Torbert.  Custer  has 
sent  in  his  report  of  the  affair  at  Lacey's  Springs,  near  Har 
risonburg,  between  Chapman's  Brigade  of  his  division  and 
Payne's  Brigade  of  Rosser's.  He  repulsed  and  drove  them, 
and  there  was  no  necessity  for  his  return  except  bad  weather 
and  total  absence  of  forage.  Custer  reports  his  loss  at  two 
killed,  22  wounded,  and  20  prisoners.  The  fight  occurred 
before  daylight.  Custer  had  230  of  his  men  frost-bitten  on 
the  expedition." 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  283 

First  it  was  Rodes's  Division  of  Infantry  that  caused  Cus- 
ter's  retrograde  movement  and  the  relinquishment  of  his 
boasted  Christmas  dinner  in  Lynchburg,  then  it  was  cold 
weather.  Rodes  was  no  nearer  than  Richmond,  and  the 
weather  about  Lynchburg  many  degrees  warmer  than  either 
Harrisonburg  or  Winchester.  Geese  are  sufficiently  learned 
to  know  this,  and  do  not  travel  northward  in  winter.  We  find 
the  truth  of  the  matter  in  the  following  report : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

December  23.  1864. 
Hon.  J.  A.  SEDDON  : 

On  the  2Oth,  General  Early  reported  one  division  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  under  General  Custer,  coming  up  the  Valley, 
and  two  divisions,  under  General  Torbert,  moving  through 
Chester  Gap  with  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  thirty  wagons. 
On  the  22d  Rosser  attacked  Glister's  Division,  nine  miles 
from  Harrisonburg,  and  drove  him  back,  capturing  40 
prisoners.  This  morning  Torbert  attacked  Lomax  near 
Gordonsville,  and  was  repulsed  and  severely  punished.  He  is 
retiring,  and  Lomax  preparing  to  follow.  R.  E.  LEE. 

It  is  needless  to  add  that  Generals  Torbert  and  Custer 
returned  to  Winchester  in  rather  depressed  spirits,  and  they 
and  their  commands  remained  quiet  for  some  months.  The 
loss  of  that  Christmas  dinner  in  Lynchburg  was  a  sore  dis 
appointment  to  them. 

On  the  2  ist  of  December,  Colonel  Mosby  was  seriously 
wounded  while  sitting  at  the  supper-table  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Lake,  near  Rector's  Cross-Roads,  by  a  detachment  of  the 
enemy  under  Major  Frazer.  He  fell  from  the  table  to  the 
floor,  and  though  painfully  wounded,  had  presence  of  mind 
sufficient  to  pull  off  his  coat  and  conceal  it,  and,  when  asked 
by  the  Federal  soldiers  for  his  name,  replied,  "  Lieutenant 
Johnson,  Sixth  Virginia  Cavalry."  They  examined  -his 
wound,  pronounced  it  mortal,  and  left  him  lying  on  the  floor. 
As  soon  as  the  enemy  left  the  house  he  was  taken  in  an  ox 
cart  and  carried  to  a  secure  retreat,  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  able  to  be  moved,  when  he  was  taken  to  Charlottes- 


284  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ville.  It  is  very  remarkable  that  his  fine  mare,  with  her  trap 
pings,  was  left  by  the  enemy,  hitched  in  front  of  the  house, 
and  was  saved.  After  the  enemy  had  retired  some  10  to  15 
miles  they  ascertained  from  some  papers  taken  from  the 
Colonel's  pocket  that  he  was  the  veritable  Mosby,  and  hastily 
returned  to  the  house,  but  the  bird  had  flown,  and,  as  usual, 
they  locked  the  stable  when  too  late,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  communication : 

I  exceedingly  regret  that  such  a  blunder  was  made.  I 
have  given  directions  that  all  wounded  officers  and  men  of 
the  enemy  be  hereafter  brought  in,  although  I  thought  any 
officer  ought  to  have  brains  and  common  sense  enough  to  do 
so  without  an  order.  W.  GAMBLE, 

Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 

Colonel  Mosby  recovered,  and  was  back  with  his  command 
in  March  following. 

Notwithstanding  the  large  body  of  cavalry  stationed  during 
the  winter  at  Winchester  and  vicinity,  Company  B  main 
tained  its  position  in  the  neighborhood,  and  in  various  sorties 
and  assaults  killed,  wounded,  and  captured  of  the  enemy  more 
than  three  times  its  own  numbers,  besides  inflicting  other 
losses  on  the  enemy. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

I  said  Fitz  James  was  brave, 
As  ever  knight  that  belted  glaive; 
Yet  dare  not  say  that  now  his  blood 
Kept  on  its  wont  and  tempered  flood. 

Scott. 

From  the  last  chapter  it  will  be  seen  that  Company  B  had 
little  aptitude  in  monetary  affairs,  but  greater  capacity  for 
handling  mules  than  finances.  Recognizing  our  natural 
abilities,  we  made  another  venture  in  the  latter  trade. 

Having  rested  our  horses  and  ourselves,  and  received  infor 
mation  that  the  Federal  post  at  Summit  Point  was  engaged  in 
cutting  and  hauling  off  the  timber  of  citizens  in  that  vicinity, 
on  the  i Qth  day  of  December,  1864,  with  some  20  men,  a  dash 
was  made  among  the  wood-choppers  and  haulers  about  a  half- 
mile  west  of  the  station,  and  without  any  resistance  20 
prisoners  were  captured  and  a  like  number  of  mules  and  sets 
of  harness,  all  in  full  view  of  the  infantry  force  of  the  enemy, 
which,  instead  of  coming  to  the  rescue  of  their  comrades, 
took  refuge  in  the  block-house  near  by,  and  permitted  us  to 
ride  off  unmolested  with  our  booty.  The  boys  had  some  fun 
on  the  retreat,  at  the  expense  of  one  of  the  prisoners.  Several 
inches  of  snow  covered  the  ground,  and  to  expedite  our 
march  the  prisoners  were  required  to  ride  the  captured  mules. 
Among  the  number  was  one  who  gave  evidence  of  strong 
rebel  propensities  by  refusing  to  act  as  war  steed  for  a 
Yankee,  and  scarcely  had  the  blue-coat  landed  across  its 
back  when,  with  a  hump  and  a  few  broncho  jumps,  he  landed 
his  burden  in  the  snow.  The  fellow  was  rather  averse  to 
trying  the  steed  again,  but  a  few  not  very  mild  persuaders 
from  our  boys  soon  changed  his  mind,  and  he  was  landed  on 
his  mule,  and  again  found  himself  floundering  in  the  snow. 
The  poor  fellow  now  begged  heartily  to  be  excused  and  ex 
pressed  a  decided  preference  for  walking,  but  his  scruples 

[285] 


286  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

against  mule-riding  were  soon  forcibly  removed,  and  he 
mounted  the  animal  again.  This  time,  with  determined  reso 
lution,  he  clinched  his  feet  under  the  mul^s  belly,  took  firm 
hold  of  the  harness,  and  successfully  resisted  every  effort  of 
the  beast  to  dislodge  him,  thus  winning  the  plaudits  and  com 
mendations  of  friends  and  foes.  The  booty  was  brought  off 
safely,  the  prisoners  sent  South,  and  the  mules  apportioned. 
Christmas  week  was  spent  among  friends  in  Jefferson  and 
Loucloun  counties,  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  a  generous  and 
patriotic  people. 

On  the  27th  of  December,  Charlie  Henderson,  Willie 
Mason,  and  myself  spent  the  night  with  our  friend,  Mr.  Henry 
Castleman,  a  gentleman  in  whose  house  every  Confederate 
soldier  met  a  warm  welcome  and  a  royal  entertainment  for 
those  times.  Having  spent  an  agreeable  night,  we  were 
taking  leave  in  the  morning,  when  our  host  informed  us  as  a 
profound  secret  that  at  2  P.  M.  on  that  day  he  was  invited  to 
dine  with  some  neighbors  and  friends  at  Mr.  R.  H.  Butcher's 
(who  lived  a  short  distance  across  the  field),  and  suggested 
that  it  might  be  agreeable  for  us  to  happen  in  there  about 
that  time  and  enjoy  a  good,  square  meal.  We  gladly  accepted 
the  tempting  suggestion,  and  promised  faithfully  not  to 
betray  him.  The  morning  was  passed  in  scouting  around 
Summit  Point  in  quest  of  an  opening  for  a  raid,  and  we 
arrived  at  Mr.  Butcher's  a  little  after  the  appointed  hour,  and 
found  the  neighbors,  including  our  friend,  seated  at  the  table 
enjoying  a  royal  feast.  We  were  invited,  of  course,  to  par 
take,  and  with  as  much  modesty  and  surprise  as  we  could 
assume,  accepted.  The  Federal  cavalry  were  in  the  daily 
habit  of  making  scouts  in  this  neighborhood,  and  the  host 
and  his  guests  were  apprehensive  lest  we  should  be  discovered 
at  the  banquet  and  occasion  the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of 
the  whole  party.  This  fear  produced  a  very  unappetizing 
effect  upon  them  all,  except  our  friend,  Mr.  Castleman,  who 
seemed  really  to  enjoy  the  situation  and  the  discomfiture  of 
his  neighbors.  Filling  ourselves,  like  camels  about  to  cross 


Leonidas  Tearney. 


288  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

the  Great  Sahara,  we  mounted  our  horses,  and  bade  them  all 
adieu,  apparently  much  to  the  relief  of  those  left  behind. 

Near  by  a  field  of  corn  was  discovered,* and  we  entered  a 
woods  adjoining,  unbridled,  gathered  some  corn  and  fed  our 
horses.  As  we  lolled  around,  waiting  until  our  steeds  finished 
their  feed,  we  noticed  four  cavalrymen  riding  in  our  direction 
up  the  road  by  the  old  McPherson  Mill.  At  first  view,  judg 
ing  from  their  actions  and  manner  of  riding.  Mason  and 
myself  pronounced  them  Jesse  Scouts  (a  name  applied  to 
Yankees  dressed  in  grey  uniforms),  but  our  comrade,  who 
was  always  inclined  to  the  other  side  on  every  question, 
asserted  they  were  our  men.  When  they  had  approached, 
however,  within  200  yards,  Henderson  was  convinced  that 
Mason  and  myself  were  correct,  and  we  quickly  proceeded  to 
bridle  our  horses  and  prepare  for  action.  The  fight  before  us 
was  not  underestimated.  It  was  three  to  four,  and  Jesse 
Scouts  were  generally  brave  men,  selected  for  perilous  duty. 
Retreat  was  impossible;  a  high  fence  surrounded  the  woods, 
and  our  opponents  had  possession  of  the  gate.  We  must 
fight  or  surrender.  The  latter  idea  could  not  be  entertained 
for  a  moment.  Riding  boldy  forward,  facing  our  antagonists, 
striving  to  conceal  on  our  part  any  movement  or  feeling  of 
fear,  we  soon  noticed  a  little  tremulous  movement  on  the 
other  side  and  took  courage.  Having  approached  within 
fifty  yards  of  them,  one  of  the  four  called  halt.  That  call  did 
me  as  much  good  as  the  appearance  of  Blucher  did  Welling 
ton.  It  evidenced  fear  on  their  part  and  made  us  feel  bolder. 
One  of  the  party  inquired,  "  To  what  command  do  you 
belong?  "  I  responded,  "  There  are  four  of  you  and  three  of 
us,  tell  us  to  what  command  you  belong."  There  was  a 
pause  and  no  reply.  I  realized  the  time  had  come  to  assume 
the  offensive,  and  calling  to  them,  said,  "  I  will  meet  any 
one  of  you."  And  again  there  was  indecision  on  their  part, 
each  appearing  to  desire  his  fellow  to  accept  the  challenge. 
After  a  short  colloquy  a  big,  burly-looking  man,  with  a  red 
nose,  mounted  on  a  light-grey  horse,  rode  forward  to  meet 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

me,  as  I  moved  towards  him.  Mason  and  Henderson  were 
cautioned  to  rush  to  my  help  as  soon  as  I  fired.  I  was 
assured  they  were  Yankees,  and  acted  accordingly.  But  there 
seemed  to  be  still  a  lingering  doubt  in  their  minds  as  to  our 
identity.  We  neared  each  other  until  our  horses'  heads  met, 
both  nerved  to  the  highest  tension,  when  my  antagonist  again 
inquired,  "  To  what  command  do  you  belong?  "  His  pistol 
was  in  his  hand,  under  his  coat-cape,  cocked  and  ready.  So 
was  mine.  Realizing  that  the  truth  would  give  him  the 
advantage,  I  replied  to  his  inquiry,  "  First  New  York  Cav 
alry."  That  regiment  was  camped  near  Berryville.  The  same 
inquiry  was  propounded  to  him,  and  he  responded,  "  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry."  Just  then,  raising  my  pistol  quickly, 
I  fired.  I  saw  the  bullet  had  struck,  but  had  not  seriously 
wounded  my  foe.  His  pistol  was  discharged  from  under  his 
cape,  and  he  turned  and  fled.  His  comrades,  seeing  the  dis 
comfiture  of  their  leader,  turned  and  fled  also,  and  Mason 
and  Henderson  coming  to  my  aid,  we  pursued  the  four  nearly 
to  Myerstown,  but  their  horses  being  too  swift  for  us,  they 
escaped.  A  few  days  afterwards  I  learned  from  some  parties 
in  Kabletown  that  my  first  shot  took  effect  in  the  right 
shoulder.  This  no  doubt  had  prevented  the  rasing  of  his 
pistol  and  possibly  saved  me. 

Was  it  justifiable  to  tell  a  story  under  these  circumstances? 
My  opponent  told  the  truth,  and  it  served  him  badly.  Abra 
ham,  when  in  danger  on  account  of  the  beauty  of  his  wife, 
said,  "  She  is  my  sister."  In  Scriptural  wars  the  untruth  was 
a  frequent  resort.  In  fighting  an  enemy  we  have  the  same 
right  to  fight  with  the  tongue  as  the  sword.  If  in  war,  killing 
is  justifiable  homicide,  certainly  lying  is  justifiable  falsehood. 
Is  not  a  feint  a  falsehood?  Lee  and  Jackson  misled  the  enemy 
by  feints.  However,  on  this  occasion,  there  was  no  time  to 
consider  the  ethics  of  the  case;  I  was  assured  that  a  falsehood 
would  be  to  my  benefit,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  avail  myself 
of  it,  and  judged  rightly,  as  my  opponent  immediately  relaxed 
19 


.       Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

his  vigilance,  advantage  was  taken  of  it,  and  the  first  shot 
obtained. 

Our  little  fracas  caused  considerable  commotion  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  we  rested  on  our  laurels  that  night  at  the 
home  of  a  widow  lady  near  by,  who  "showed  us  no  little 
kindness."  She  had  visiting  her  at  the  time  a  niece  from 
New  York.  In  the  morning  I  found  my  hat  decorated  with 
a  magnificent  black  plume — the  ne  plus  ultra  of  a  young 
cavalryman's  aspirations — which  was  worn  to  the  close  of  the 
conflict.  That  young  lady  after  the  war  married  a  gallant 
Confederate  officer. 

Christmas,  1864,  was  spent  by  our  boys  among  their  rela 
tives  and  friends  in  Jefferson  and  Clarke,  and  the  Christmas 
turkey,  mince-pie,  and  egg-nog  were  not  wanting.  Although 
our  hosts  had  been  plundered  many  times  in  the  past  few 
months,  their  larders  resembled  the  Scriptural  widow's  barrel 
of  meal  and  cruse  of  oil,  and  diminished  not  by  frequent  use 
in  a  good  cause.  The  vigilance  required  to  insure  safety  from 
near-by  foes  and  their  frequent  scouts  gave  zest  and  relish  to 
our  appetites.  The  girls — bright,  beautiful,  charming  girls — 
were  abundant,  and  acted  their  part  nobly,  and  if  a  suscepti 
ble  soldier  now  and  then  had  a  couple  or  more  sweethearts, 
the  fault  was  pardonable,  as  the  temptation  was  irresistible. 
The  girls  understood  the  situation  as  well  as  the  boys,  and 
patriotism  frequently  impelled  them  to  court  more  than  one 
champion. 

I  remember,  while  camping  on  the  banks  of  the  Rapidan, 
two  members  of  the  company,  boon  companions,  one  bearing 
the  surname  and  the  other  the  Christian  name  of  the  hero 
who  was  "  first  in  peace,  first  in  war,  and  first  in  the  hearts 
of  his  countrymen,"  being  enamoured  of  a  charming  young 
lady  of  that  vicinity  bearing  the  name  of  one  of  our  distin 
guished  jurists.  The  two  comrades  compared  notes  and 
ascertained  that  each  occupied  the  first  place  in  the  lady's 
esteem  and  affection.  There  was  no  challenge,  no  duel,  not 
even  an  unpleasant  ripple  on  the  even  tenor  of  their  relations, 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

and  each  continued  to  enjoy  the  lady's  entertainment  and 
hospitality.  But  the  brightest  flowers  must  fade,  and  these 
happy  hours  were  suddenly  terminated  by  orders  to  move. 
The  time  allotted  for  preparation  for  this  step  was  short,  and 
would  not  afford  opportunity  for  separate  visits,  so  the  twain 
called  together  to  impart  the  sad  news  and  bid  adieu.  Matters 
were  arranged  between  the  comrades  on  the  way  over.  When 
the  hitching-posts  were  reached,  one  of  the  horses  failed  to  be 
fastened,  and  the  suitors  entered  the  house  and  were  cordially 
greeted.  The  mission  was  explained,  and  many  regrets  ex 
pressed.  Just  then  attention  was  called  to  the  loose  horse, 
and  its  owner  proceeded  to  catch  and  fasten  it.  While  absent, 
the  other  took  advantage  of  the  situation,  bade  farewell,  and 
no  doubt  with  ardor  and  affection.  The  loose  horse  was  tied 
and  the  tied  horse  loosed,  and  the  three  were  scarcely  again 
seated  before  attention  was  directed  to  the  loose  horse,  and 
its  owner  hastily  repaired  to  the  yard  to  secure  it,  and  the 
remainderman  improved  the  golden  opportunity.  When  the 
absent  returned,  both  bade  a  formal  adieu  and  went  on  their 
way  rejoicing  in  the  happy  moments  and  the  square  meals 
enjoyed,  and  the  girl  we  left  behind  was  happy,  too,  with  the 
pleasing  thought  that  she  had  made  assurance  doubly  sure, 
and  if  one  should  be  taken  the  other  would  be  left.  These 
little  episodes  were 

"  Sunny  islands  in  our  stormy  main, 
Spots  of  azure  in  our  clouded  sky." 

During  the  winter  the  Yankees  learned  the  abode  of  all  of 
our  boys'  sweethearts,  and  frequently  laid  in  wait  to  catch  the 
unwary  Leanders  as  they  sought  to  steal  a  visit.  The  girls 
ought  to  have  highly  appreciated  these  calls,  for,  if  caught, 
the  charge  would  be  recruiting  Avithin  the  lines,  the  poor 
fellow  would  be  found  guilty,  and  the  death  penalty  inflicted. 
Such  warring  was  not  only  ungallant  and  unchivalrous,  but 
uncivilized,  and  not  in  accord  with  that  noble  humanity  dis 
played  by  President  Lincoln  when  he  set  aside  the  finding  of 


292  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

"  guilty  "  of  one  of  his  courts-martial  in  the  case  of  a  young 
prisoner  captured  on  a  visit  to  his  lady-love  (but  basely 
charged  with  recruiting  within  the  lines^  on  the  distinct 
ground  "  that  he  was  satisfied  from  the  evidence  there  was 
a  woman  in  the  scrape  and  the  conduct  of  the  young  man 
pardonable."  Indeed,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  notable  man. 
Before  and  during  the  war,  as  a  mere  boy,  I  had  failed  to 
appreciate  his  true  greatness.  Opinions  were  then  based  on 
prejudice  rather  than  reason.  Both  by  birth  and  education 
I  was  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  idea  that  nothing  good 
could  come  out  of  the  Northern  Nazareth,  certainly  not  in 
the  shape  of  "  Abolitionist,"  a  name  applied  to  adherents  of 
the  Republican  party.  It  was  not  until  that  war  was  ended 
and  Mr.  Lincoln  dead  that  his  character  could  be  calmly  and 
dispassionately  studied  and  understood.  He  was  a  man  of 
wonderful  goodness,  sagacity,  and  foresight.  As  a  soldier, 
he  would  have  been  a  great  general.  In  divining  the  move 
ments  of  his  opponents,  his  conclusions  were  more  accurate 
and  far  in  advance  of  his  military  leaders  in  the  field.  While 
there  were  apparent  inconsistencies  in  his  life,  they  can  be 
reconciled,  when  they  are  critically  examined,  and  his  per 
sonal  acts,  which  are  purely  his  own,  and  his  official  acts, 
which  in  a  large  degree  emanated  from  the  head  and  heart 
of  his  ministers  and  advisers,  are  separated  and  analyzed.  He 
always  leaned  to  the  side  of  mercy  and  humanity,  and  his 
faults,  if  faults  they  were,  may  be  attributed  to  overzeal  in  this 
direction.  Certainly,  if  he  did  not  fully  comprehend  the 
fatherhood  of  God,  he  realized  to  its  fullest  extent  the  brother 
hood  of  man. 

My  judgment  as  to  the  character  of  Mr.  Lincoln  is  not 
founded  so  much  on  the  writings  of  biographers  (for  such 
testimony  must  always  be  received  with  many  grains  of  allow 
ance),  as  upon  his  conduct  and  actions  through  those  four 
years  of  severe  trial.  He  emerged  from  that  conflict  a  great 
man.  His  death  was  a  serious  loss  to  the  entire  country- 
greater  to  the  South  than  to  the  North. 


Wm.  S.  Thomson. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

Singing  through   the  forests, 

Rattling  over  ridges, 
Shooting  under  arches, 

Rumbling  over  bridges, 
Whizzing  through  the  mountains, 

Buzzing  o'er  the  vale, 
Bless  me,  this  is  pleasant, 

Riding  on  the  rail! 

Saxe. 

About  the  first  of  the  new  year  (1865)  the  company  was 
ordered  to  report  to  the  command,  then  encamped  near 
Swope's  Depot,  some  five  miles  west  of  Staunton,  and,  with 
sad  hearts,  we  bade  adieu  to  our  friends  in  the  lower  Valley 
and  joined  our  regiment.  We  found  sufficiency  of  food 
neither  for  ourselves  or  our  horses.  The  weather  was  bitter 
cold,  and  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow.  After  hunger 
ing  and  shivering  in  this  camp  some  three  weeks,  we  were 
again  ordered  to  the  lower  Valley. 

General  Sheridan  was  still  at  Winchester,  and  his  name 
recalls  to  my  mind  Byron's  Corsair — 

"  He  left  a  Corsair's  name  to  other  times, 
Linked  with  one  virtue  and  a  thousand  crimes." 

The  character  of  the  warfare  waged  by  this  commander  can 
be  best  learned  from  his  own  orders,  a  few  of  which  follow 
here : 

KERNSTOWN,  VA.,  November  26,  1864. 
Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK: 

I  will  soon  commence  work  on  Mosby.  Heretofore  I  have 
made  no  attempt  to  track  him  up,  as  I  would  have  employed 
ten  men  to  his  one,  and  for  the  reason  that  I  have  made  a 
scape-goat  of  him  for  the  destruction  of  private  rights.  Now, 
there  is  going  to  be  an  intense  hatred  of  him  in  that  portion 

[294] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  295 

of  the  Valley  which  is  nearly  a  desert.  I  will  soon  commence 
on  Loudoun  county,  and  let  them  know  there  is  a  God  in 
Israel.  Mosby  has  annoyed  me  considerably,  but  the  people 
are  beginning  to  see  that  he  does  not  injure  me  a  great  deal, 
but  causes  a  loss  to  them  of  all  they  have  spent  their  lives 
in  accumulating.  Those  people  who  live  in  the  vicinity  of 
Harper's  Ferry  are  the  most  villainous  in  this  Valley,  and 
have  not  yet  been  hurt  much.  If  the  railroad  is  interfered 
with  I  will  make  some  of  them  poor.  Those  who  live  at  home 
in  peace  and  plenty  want  the  duello  part  of  this  war  to  go  on, 
but  when  they  have  to  bear  this  burden  by  loss  of  property 
and  comforts  they  will  cry  for  peace. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN,  Major-General. 

This,  which  could  not  be  excelled  by  Weyler,  was  written 
by  Sheridan  after  laying  waste  not  only  the  Valley,  but  Fau- 
quier  and  southern  Loudoun.  He  did  not  frighten  us,  but 
drove  us  to  desperation  and  retaliation.  On  the  night  of  the 
23d  of  January,  having  received  information  that  several 
stores  were  operated  in  Shepherdstown  under  Federal  per 
mits,  with  some  30  men  we  entered  the  town,  and  sacked  the 
stores,  bringing  off  many  articles  useful  and  necessary  for 
the  men,  their  families,  and  sweethearts.  As  these  stores 
would  not  sell  their  goods  to  rebels  or  rebel  families,  and 
were  barred  to  us  and  ours,  they  were  legal  subjects  of  cap 
ture  and  confiscation.  General  Sheridan  heard  of  this  raid, 
and  on  the  25th  wired  General  Stevenson: 

"  One  of  my  scouts  from  Shepherdstown  reports  that  40 
rebels  entered  that  place  a  few  nights  ago  and  robbed  two 
stores.  Have  you  any  facts  in  the  case,  and  is  it  best  to  allow 
stores  to  be  opened  there?" 

And  General  Stevenson  replied : 

"A  party  of  rebel  soldiers  and  citizens  did  rob  a  store  at 
Shepherdstown  of  a  small  amount  of  goods.  I  saw  the  party 
robbed,  who  promised  to  furnish  me  the  names  of  the  parties 
engaged.  My  information  is  that  the  robbery  was  committed 


296  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

by  some  rebel  soldiers  and  citizens,  and  not  by  a  party 
organized  for  a  raid.  There  are  but  two  or  three  stores  and 
with  small  stocks." 

This  'dispatch  from  Stevenson  seems  to  have  stirred  the 
wrath  of  "  Little  Phil,"  for  he  immediately  wires  Stevenson: 

"  If  you  find  any  citizen  harboring  or  abetting  these  robber 
bands  in  your  district,  drive  off  all  their  stock  and  burn  all 
their  grain.  There  are  certainly  some  such  people  about 
Shepherdstown  and  its  vicinity." 

Suffice  it  to  say  the  goods  were  safely  brought  through  the 
enemy's  lines,  and  served  to  gladden  the  hearts  and  homes  of 
our  lady  friends.  I  regret  to  mention  that  this  raid  cost  Com 
rades  Sadler  and  F.  J.  Manning,  after  the  war,  under  radical 
justice,  about  $500  each — dear  pay  for  their  portion  of  the 
spoil ! 

After  resting  for  a  few  days  we  were  apprised  by  one  of  our 
scouts  that  a  Federal  paymaster  would  pass  west  on  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  express  on  the  night  of  February  3d,  and 
as  our  boys  had  not  received  any  pay  for  some  time,  we 
thought  this  a  golden  opportunity  to  get  a  little  remunera 
tion.  Gathering  together  about  30  men,  we  crossed  the 
Shenandoah  at  Keyes's  Ford,  passed  the  enemy's  lines  be 
tween  Halltown  and  Harper's  Ferry,  and  reached  the  line  of 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  just  east  of  Duffield's  about  10  P.  M. 
Our  horses  were  fastened  about  500  yards  from  the  railroad, 
and  we  proceeded  on  foot  to  the  track  to  make  preparations.  - 
The  rails  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  at  that  time  were  bolted 
together  with  wooden  pieces,  or  stringers,  and  as  we  had  no 
wrenches,  we  found  it  impossible  to  separate  them.  We 
prized  up  one  side  of  the  track,  stayed  it  with  ties,  and  laid 
down  to  await  the  expected  train.  A  good,  soft  place  had 
been  selected,  to  minimize  the  damage  to  life  on  the  train 
as  much  as  possible.  A  few  moments  after  finishing  our  pre 
parations  a  guard  came  along,  and  was  taken  in  without 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  297 

trouble  or 'noise,  as  troops  were  stationed  at  short  distances 
on  either  side.  Our  waiting  was  not  long;  the  rumble  was 
heard  in  the  distance;  nearer  and  nearer  it  came,  until  the 
iron  horse  with  his  fiery  head  appeared  in  full  view.  All  were 
eager  and  excited.  The  prize  seemed  in  our  grasp.  The 
engine  struck  the  obstruction;  a  great  crash  followed,  and 
the  train  stopped.  But,  alas!  it  was  only  a  special  freight, 
running  on  express  time.  Our  financial  hopes  were  again 
blasted.  The  train  was  ransacked,  abundance  of  wine,  cham 
pagne,  beer,  and  other  drinks,  with  cakes,  candies,  coffees, 
sugar,  oysters  and  other  eatables  wer  found  and  taken  in 
possession  as  far  as  our  capacities  would  allow.  Some  of  the 
boys  got  rather  to  much  of  the  liquids,  and  trouble  was  appre 
hended,  if  opposition  should  be  encountered  on  our  return. 
The  men  loaded  themselves  and  their  horses,  some  carrying 
as  much  as  a  sack  of  coffee,  and  we  began  our  retreat.  As 
the  enemy's  line  had  been  crossed  on  our  way  over  between 
Halltown  and  Harper's  Ferry,  it  was  prudent  to  pass  back  in 
the  vicinity  of  Charlestown,  and  consequently  we  passed  just 
east  of  that  town,  took  the  Kabletown  road  and  recrossed  the 
river  at  Myer's  Ford.  How  well  and  wisely  we  planned  will 
be  seen  from  the  Federal  report : 

BALTIMORE,  MD.,  February  4,  1865. 

Hon.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON, 
Secretary  of  War : 

I  feel  it  my  duty  to  report  that  38  rebels  were  again  per 
mitted  last  night  to  throw  off  and  rob  a  train,  breaking  the 
engine  and  cars,  within  three  and  a  half  miles  of  Harper's 
Ferry,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  recent  similar  attack. 
May  I  ask  that  such  instruction  be  given  the  commandant  at 
Harper's  Ferry  as  will  prevent  these  frequent  raids  upon  the 
road  at  points  that  can  be  certainly  defended?  The  locality 
w^hich  has  been  so  repeatedly  attacked  and  about  which 
special  vigilance  is  required  is  where  the  road  from  Charles- 
town  to  Shepherdstown  intersects  our  line. 

JOHN  W.  GARRETT. 


2()8  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Secretary  Stanton  then  wires  General  Sheridan : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  D.  C,  February  4,   1865. 

Major-General  SHERIDAN  : 

Another  train  was  thrown  off  the  track  and  robbed  last 
night  within  three  and  a  half  miles  of  Harper's  Ferry,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  a  recent  occurrence  of  like  kind.  I  am 
apprehensive  that  General  Stevenson  is  not  sufficiently  vigi 
lant.  The  point  of  intersection  of  the  roads  from  Charlestown 
with  Shepherdstown,  it  seems  to  me,  ought  to  be  better 
guarded  than  has  been  done  by  Stevenson.  Will  you  please 
give  this  matter  attention?  The  interruption  of  trains  there 
seems  to  be  chronic,  and  may  spread  if  not  checked. 

EDWIN  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War. 

General  Sheridan  seems  to  cast  all  the  blame  on  Colonel 
Reno,  and  sends  him  this  tart  telegram : 

CHARLESTOWN,  W.  VA.,  February  4,  1865. 
Colonel  M.  A.  RENO  : 

The  country  in  your  vicinity  and  out  for  a  distance  of  ten 
miles  is  full  of  Confederate  soldiers.  With  a  regiment  as 
strong  as  yours  you  should  be  able  to  capture  many  of  them, 
and  I  will  look  to  you  to  do  so.  At  every  house  where  you 
make  a  capture  drive  off  all  stock  except  one  milch-cow,  and 
notify  the  people  that  I  will  put  them  out  of  my  lines  and  let 
their  rebel  friends  take  care  of  them. 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN,  Major-General. 

Colonel  Reno  reports  as  follows : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  party  which  ran 
the  train  off  the  track  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad, 
crossed  at  or  near  Keyes's~  Ford;  had  timely  information  of 
this  crossing  and  their  whereabouts,  and  would  have  suc 
ceeded  in  capturing  some  of  them  had  my  orders  been  obeyed. 
About  10  P.  M.  I  sent  out  two  parties  under  command  of 
Lieutenants  Guild  and  Chase.  These  parties  were  about  50 
strong.  Lieutenant  Chase  was  ordered  with  his  command  to 
cover  the  roads  leading  to  different  fords  through  Bloomery. 
Lieutenant  Guild  was  ordered  to  overtake  and  head  off  the 


Richard  Timberlake. 


300  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

party,  attack  them  and  drive  them  back.  After  he  left  camp, 
instead  of  following  them  up  he  thought  he  had  better  move 
towards  the  river,  the  diametrically  opposite  direction  from 
his  orders.  Lieutenant  Chase,  writh  good  reason,  did  not 
expect  our  men  in  that  direction,  and  fired  into  Lieutenant 
Guild's  command.  I  regret  to  say  that  one  man,  Private 
Hogeland,  Company  D,  was  wounded.  I  have  placed  Lieu 
tenant  Guild  in  arrest,  and  now  report  him  for  immediate 
dismissal,  as  he  is  solely  responsible  for  the  miscarriage  of  my 
plans.  I  do  not  design  that  he  be  court-martialed,  as  that 
would  occupy  more  time  than  he  is  worth.  He  is  entirely 
unfit  for  a  commission,  inasmuch  as  he  takes  no  pains  to 
improve  himself,  nor  does  he  study  to  render  himself  worthy 
of  his  position.  He,  although  never  what  you  could  charge 
as  drunkenness,  is  always  full,  and  when  not  stupefied  with 
whiskey,  he  is  with  opium.  His  performance  last  night  is 
sufficient  evidence  to  hang  him.  As  far  as  I  can  learn,  the 
rebels  numbered  about  30  men.  M.  A.  RENO, 

Colonel  Commanding  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 

General  Stevenson  sent  the  above  report  to  General  Sheri 
dan,  and  says : 

"  I  forwarded  you  yesterday  Colonel  Reno's  report  of  the 
party  and  the  way  in  which  he  did  not  catch  him." 

Poor  Guild  was  the  scape-goat.  After  the  capture  we 
passed  back  within  a  half-mile  of  Colonel  Reno's  camp,  and 
in  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  Lieutenant  Chase's  company,  and 
they  must  have  been  stupefied  also.  A  few  days  after  this 
raid  General  Sheridan  sent  a  regiment  of  cavalry  to  Duffield's 
with  the  following  orders  : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS, 

February  5,  1865. 
Brigadier-General  T.  C.  DEVIN  : 

General, — The  General  Commanding  directs  that  you  will 
detail  a  strong  regiment  to  take  position  at  Duffield's  Station, 
or  as  near  that  point  as  practicable,  on  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  railroad,  with  instructions  to  protect  the  road  in  that 
vicinity.  That  neighborhood  has  of  late  been  infested  with 
guerrillas  and  men  from  the  rebel  army  who  are  visiting  their 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  301 

friends,  getting  clothes,  plundering,  etc.  These  men  have  of 
late  committed  depredations  on  the  railroad,  throwing  trains 
off  the  track,  and  robbing  passengers.  The  commanding 
officer  will  make  dispositions  to  prevent  this  in  future  in  that 
vicinity.  He  will  send  out  parties  to  scour  the  country  and 
dispose  of  the  lazvless  ruffians  who  are  committing  the  out 
rages  spoken  of.  No  quarter  will  be  given  these  persons  who 
have  destroyed  by  their  actions  the  right  to  be  treated  as 
prisoners  of  war.  When  a  guerrilla  is  found  on  a  plantation, 
or  at  a  habitation,  the  fences,  etc.,  of  the  farm  will  be  de 
stroyed,  and  the  citizens  generally  will  be  given  to  understand 
that  if  they  continue  to  harbor  these  villains  they  will  be 
turned  from  their  houses  and  sent  through  our  lines.  The 
regiment  will  seek  an  eligible  cantonment  near  Duffield's 
Station,  and  construct  shelter  for  men  and  horses.  '  Supplies 
will  be  drawn  from  Duffield's  Station. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  F.  HAYDEN,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

If  men  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  as  soldiers,  endeavor 
ing  to  break  the  enemy's  line  of  communication  and  cut  off 
his  supplies  are  to  be  treated  as  lawless  ruffians  and  villains, 
has  the  vocabulary  a  name  foul  enough  for  the  infamy  of  the 
man  w-ho  burned  the  houses,  barns,  and  grain  of  inoffending 
citizens,  women,  and  children,  and  boasted  himself  that  a 
crow  in  passing  over  this  waste  would  have  to  carry  his 
rations?  In  execution  of  his  fiendish  purpose,  and  on  ac 
count  of  the  capture  of  two  members  of  our  company  (mere 
boys),  who  had  gone  home  to  see  their  mothers,  he  issued 
General  McMillan  this  order: 

"  I  want  you  to  send  to  the  house  of  Mrs.  Alexander,  where 
the  guerrillas  James  Washington  and  Herbert  Alexander 
were  captured,  and  drive  off  all  stock  except  one  milch-cow, 
and  burn  every  rail  on  the  Claymont  farm  as  a  punishment 
for  harboring  guerrillas,  notify  the  people  in  that  vicinity  that 
I  will  destroy  every  farm  and  drive  off  all  stock  wherever  I 
find  them  harboring  guerrillas,  and  put  the  people  outside  my 
lines  in  the  direction  of  Richmond.  Report  the  execution  of 
this  order.  P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Major-General. 


$02  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Sheridan  was  afraid  that  General  McMillan  had  a  heart 
that  could  feel,  and  the  imperious  mandate  of  humanity  would 
alleviate  the  severity  of  his  order,  if  not  caus*e  it  to  be  ignored, 
and  he  therefore  requires  McMillan  to  report  its  execution. 

Claymont  at  the  date  of  this  order  was  occupied  by  defence 
less  ladies,  and  this  was  known  to  Sheridan  when  he  indited 
his  order,  as  is  shown  on  the  face  of  the  order  itself. 

Just  a  short  time  previous  to  the  capture  of  Washington 
and  Alexander,  John  E.  Boyd,  of  Berkeley  county,  had  been 
taken  prisoner  by  one  of  Sheridan's  scouting  parties,  and  on 
the  day  of  his  capture  this  order  was  issued : 

GENERAL  ORDERS  NO.  8. 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

January  12,  1865. 

A  Confederate  soldier,  giving  his  name  as  John  E.  Boyd, 
caught  within  the  lines  of  the  army  under  circumstances 
which  leave  no  doubt  that  he  is  a  spy  of  the  enemy's,  and  his 
manner  since  capture  confirming  this,  the  said  John  E.  Boyd 
will  at  12  o'clock,  meridian,  to-morrow,  January  13,  1865, 
•or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable,  be  hung  by  the  neck  until 
he  is  dead.  The  Provost-Marshal-General  of  this  army  is 
charged  with  the  execution  of  this  order. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Sheridan. 

C.   KlNGSBERRY,  JR., 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

In  the  practice  of  my  profession,  in  the  progress  of  a  mur 
der  trial,  the  duty  was  devolved  on  me  of  asking  for  a  con 
tinuance  of  the  case,  on  the  ground  that  the  indictment  had 
just  been  returned  and  the  prisoner  had  not  sufficient  time  to 
prepare  his  defence.  The  court,  in  overruling  the  motion, 
said,  "  The  Constitution  guaranteed  the  prisoner  a  speedy  trial, 
and  he  was  going  to  give  it  to  him."  Sheridan  in  that  case  not 
only  invoked  this  provision  of  the  Constitution  as  interpreted 
by  the  learned  judge,  but  he  eliminated  also  the  right  of  trial, 
either  by  jury  or  drum-head  court-martial.  I  am  glad,  how 
ever,  to  state  that  our  friend  escaped  the  execution  of  this 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  303 

vicious  order,  and  is  alive  to-day,  enjoying  the  good  things 
of  this  life,  while  his  would-be  assassin  has  gone  where  he 
will  receive  the  just  reward  of  his  actions. 

Washington  and  Alexander,  at  the  time  of  their  capture 
(about  eighteen  years  of  age,  mere  frail  boys),  were  cast  into 
a  cold,  damp,  and  cheerless  dungeon  at  Fort  McHenry,  and 
so  cruelly  and  inhumanly  treated  that  in  a  few  weeks  death 
relieved  them  of  their  sufferings.  They  were  near  kinsmen, 
and  now  lie  buried  near  each  other  in  the  old  Episcopal 
churchyard  in  Charlestown.  On  the  grave-stone  of  the 
former  is  the  simple  inscription  : 

JAMES  C.  WASHINGTON, 

Born  Sept.  14,  1847; 

Died  February  28,  1865. 

"  God  is  -Love." 

And  on  the  grand  monument  of  his  murderer  should  be  in 
contrast  the  fitting  epitaph : 

The  Demi  is  Hate. 

It  was  now  evident  the  Confederacy  was  nearing  its  end. 
Our  army,  without  means  of  recuperation  and  without  pro 
visions  and  forage,  was  perishing  from  internal  causes,  and 
the  men  who  had  fought  so  gallantly  for  four  years  were  now 
so  dispirited  that  much  of  its  vigor  was  lost,  and  it  became 
an  easy  prey  to  the  enemy. 

On  February  27th,  General  Sheridan,  with  the  First  and 
Third  divisions  of  his  cavalry,  thoroughly  equipped  for  the 
trip,  left  Winchester,  marched  south  by  way  of  the  Valley 
turnpike,  and  reached  Staunton  on  March  2d,  without 
material  opposition.  From  Staunton  he  moved  to  Waynesbo- 
rough,  where  he  encountered  the  remnant  of  General  Early's 
army,  and  after  a  short  contest  completely  routed  it,  cap 
turing  about  1,000  prisoners,  and  its  artillery  and  wagon- 
train.  Sheridan  then  moved  to  Charlottesville,  down  to  the 
James  river,  north  of  Richmond.  From  thence  he  marched 


304  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

to  Hanover  Courthouse,  and  round  to  the  James  below  Rich 
mond,  crossed  the  river  and  joined  Grant.  A  number  of  like 
expeditions,  with  Lynchburg  as  the  objective  point,  had 
failed,  because  our  army  had  men  to  oppose,  but  now  we  were 
helpless. 

General  Merritt,  in  his  report,  says : 

'  Thus  was  completed  a  campaign  which  for  brilliancy  of 
conception  and  perfect  success  in  execution  has  never  been 
equalled  in  the  operations  of  cavalry  in  this  or  any  other 
country.  ,  The  results  attest  the  importance  of  the  service  per 
formed.  The  remnant  of  Early's  famous  Army  of  the  Valley, 
which,  less  than  a  year  before  had  environed  the  capital  of 
the  country,  was  captured  or  dispersed;  his  artillery,  trains, 
correspondence  and  baggage  in  our  hands.  Two  railroads 
and  one  canal,  immense  arteries  of  supply  for  the  rebel  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia,  were  completely  disabled,  and  millions 
of  dollars'  worth  of  rebel  property,  contraband  of  war,  was 
destroyed  or  used  for  the  command.  The  rapidity  of  our 
march  over  roads  rendered  almost  impassable  by  heavy  rains, 
which  rendered  the  crossing  of  each  petty  creek  a  work  of 
great  labor  and  time,  was  truly  marvellous,  and  led  the  enemy 
completely  astray  as  to  our  movements.  Over  350  miles  were 
marched  by  the  main  body  of  the  command,  some  parts  of 
which  made  over  500  miles.  Over  2,000  prisoners  were  taken, 
1 8  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  large  number  of  arms,  and  many 
stand  of  colors.  These  are  some  of  the  substantial  fruits  of 
the  expedition,  which,  while  it  inflicted  immense  damage  on 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  introduced  for  the  first  time 
to  many  of  the  responsible  people  of  Virginia  the  sjern 
realities  of  the  wicked  war  they  themselves  had  sought." 

Indeed,  General,  many  an  old  Confederate  and  his  horse 
who  had  been  denied  a  morsel  from  the  full  meat-houses  and 
corn-cribs  of  the  people  of  Albemarle,  rejoiced  when  they 
were  opened  at  your  command,  "  Sesame."  These  people  had 
not  seen  the  enemy  until  you  appeared  in  their  midst,  and  then 


S.  D.  Timber-lake. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

they  realized  the  value  and  worth  of  their  defenders.  Your 
sabers  forced  a  generosity  that  would  not  respond  to  the  ear 
nest  appeals  of  hunger  and  famine.  But,  General,  your  march 
was  through  the  Confederate  graveyard,  and  you  needed  only 
to  whistle  to  keep  up  your  courage;  the  bones  of  soldiery 
could  do  you  no  harm.  The  army  had  indeed  knocked  at  the 
gates  of  your  capital,  but  what  you  met  at  Waynesborough 
was  only  its  remains,  and  the  baggage  capture  of  which  you 
boast  was  as  valueless  as  the  formal  dedication  of  the  penni 
less  groom,  who  solemnly  says  to  his  bride  "  with  all  my 
worldly  goods  I  thee  endow." 

How  great  in  contrast  was  the  conduct  and  character  of 
"Generals  Grant  and  Sheridan.  General  Grant  never  made 
war  on  defenceless  people.  There  may  have  been  depreda 
tions  committed  by  his  army  in  violation  of  his  general  orders, 
but  the  commanders  were  held  to  account  and  the  offending 
parties  punished,  if  caught.  With  Sheridan,  however,  his 
inferior  officers  and  men  were  more  humane  than  the  General 
himself,  and  frequently  refused  to  execute  his  orders.  In 
comparison  with  orders  of  Sheridan  I  give  one  emanating 
from  General  Grant. 

General  Wilson,  just  prior  to  the  fight  at  Sappony  Church, 
had  been  on  a  raid  through  Southern  Virginia,  and  his  men 
had  committed  many  depredations  in  violation  of  general 
orders  and  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare.  In  justice  to 
•General  Wilson,  I  must  say  I  am  satisfied  he  disapproved  of 
such  conduct,  and  this  is  shown  by  his  orders  before  and  his 
reports  after  the  raid.  The  conduct  of  General  Wilson's  men 
was  brought  to  the  notice  of  General  Grant  through  a  copy 
of  a  Richmond  paper  that  fell  into  his  hands,  and  he  writes 
General  Wilson : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

July  i,  1864. 
Brigadier-General  J.  H.  WILSON, 

Commanding  Third  Cavalry  Division  : 
General, — I  am  directed  by  the  Major-General  command- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  307 

ing  to  invite  your  attention  to  the  editorial  article  in  the 
Richmond  Examiner  (copy  herewith),  commenting  on  your 
recent  expedition.  The  commanding  General  cannot  believe 
the  statements  of  the  article  are  well  founded,  but  as  the  case 
of  alleged  depredations  are  in  several  instances  cited  with 
particularity,  he  deems  it  due  to  you  as  the  commander  of 
the  expedition  that  you  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  the 
serious  charges  against  its  management '  set  forth  in  the 
article  in  question,  and  be  allowed  an  opportunity  of  denying 
them;  and  he  also  desires  to  have  your  report,  so  that  he 
may  be  prepared  to  promptly  answer  any  official  call  that 
may  be  made  upon  him  for  information  touching  the  allega 
tions,  should  the  matter  hereafter  be  brought  to  his  notice. 
I  am  also  directed  to  transmit  to  you  in  this  connection  a 
copy  of  General  Orders  No.  24,  of  the  27th  ultimo,  from  these 
headquarters,  republishing  orders  heretofore,  relative  to 
seizure  of  property;  and  in  view  of  the  orders  in  force  in  this 
army  upon  the  subject,  the  commanding  General  is  reluctant 
to  conclude  that  they  have  been  violated  in  your  command 
by  the  seizure  of  property  not  recognized  as  legitimately 
liable  to  capture  or  by  the  appropriation  of  property  seized 
to  private  purposes.  The  commanding  General  wishes  you  to 
have  at  once  a  thorough  inspection  made  of  your  command 
with  a  view  to  ascertain  whether  any  of  the  officers  or  men 
have  in  their  possession  any  plate,  watches,  etc.,  taken  under 
the  circumstances  in  the  editorial. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient, 

S.  WILLIAMS, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


"The  evil  that  men  do,  lives  after  them; 
The  good  is  often  interred  with  their  bones." 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

The  harp  that  once  through  Tara's  halls 

The  soul  of  music  shed, 
Now  hangs  as  mute  on  Tara's  walls 

As  if  that  soul  were  fled. 
So  sleeps  the  pride  of  former  days, 

So  glory's  thrill  is  o'er, 
And  hearts  that  once  beat  high  for  praise, 

Now  feel  that  pulse  no  more. 

Moore. 

February,  1865,  like  the  preceding  month,  was  intensely 
cold,  and  both  sides  were  busily  engaged  in  keeping  warm 
and  comfortable.  March  followed  with  more  genial  skies, 
and  the  armies  began  to  stir.  General  Sheridan  having 
moved  from  Winchester,  with  two  divisions  of  cavalry,  joined 
General  Grant's  army  around  Petersburg.  General  Hancock 
succeeded  him  in  command,  and  made  new  arrangment  of 
military  posts,  and  some  days  were  spent  by  us  in  familiar 
izing  ourselves  with  the  situation. 

On  March  I3th,  with  seven  men,  we  crossed  the  Shenan- 
doah,  then  much  swollen,  swimming  our  horses,  struck  the 
Berryville  turnpike,  a  mile  south  of  Charlestown,  about  10 
P.  M.,  and  moved  cautiously  in  the  direction  of  the  town, 
then  garrisoned  as  a  Federal  post.  At  the  toll-gate,  then 
located  within  the  present  corporation  limits,  we  wrere  halted 
by  the  enemy's  picket,  a  single  soldier,  who  demanded, 
"Who  comes  there?"  I  responded,  "  Friend  to  Abe  Lin 
coln."  The  picket  then  replied,  "Advance  and  give  the 
countersign."  Advancing  until  within  a  few  feet  of  him,  I 
discovered  he  was  covering  me  with  his  gun.  I  realized  that 
a  ruse  de  guerre  was  necessary.  I  was  riding  at  the  time  a 
little  sorrel  horse,  Jeb,  an  almost  perfect  cavalry  steed,  learned 
in  many  accomplishments,  who  would  rear  whenever  desired. 

[308] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  jop 

This  picket  was  on  the  alert,  and  I  must  divert  his  attention. 
A  stroke  on  the  neck,  and  Jeb  rose  on  his  hind  legs,  and  as  he 
did  so,  I  shouted,  "  Take  down  your  gun,  you  frighten  my 
horse."  Down  it  went,  and  in  a  second  my  pistol  was  at  his 
head,  with  a  demand,  "  Surrender,  you  son-of-a-gun."  This 
was  my  favorite  salute  to  the  Yankees  on  such  occasions,  and 
was  as  near  swearing  as  anything  I  did  during  the  war,  and  I 
believe  it  had  as  much  effect  as  something  stronger.  The 
soldier's  gun  dropped  on  the  ground,  and  up  went  his  hands. 
My  comrades  now  coming  up,  the  countersign  was  demanded 
of  the  prisoner  and  given  to  us  without  hesitation.  Death  was 
the  penalty  threatened  if  it  proved  to  be  wrong.  The  prisoner 
then  directed  us  to  the  next  post  westward,  where  the  coun 
tersign  proved  genuine,  and  this  picket  also  was  gathered  in. 
The  town  was  surrounded  with  a  cordon  of  pickets,  and  the 
full  circuit  was  made  and  all  the  posts  relieved  without 
trouble  or  alarm  until  the  last  was  reached.  This  post  was 
just  east  of  the  one  first  taken,  on  the  hill  in  rear  of  the 
Academy.  As  my  recollection  now  serves  me,  there  were 
with  me  on  this  occasion.  Douglas  Mason,  Howard  Kerfoot 
(now  the  distinguished  Baptist  divine),  Jim  and  Shannon 
Gallaher,  Ike  Anderson,  Bob  North,  and  Willie  Johnson. 
The  pickets  up  to  this  one  had  been  relieved  by  me  without 
the  least  difficulty.  Doug.  Mason  requested  and  was  granted 
permission  to  relieve  this  last  fellow,  as  I  apprehended  no 
danger.  When  a  halt  was  demanded  and  the  sentinel's  in 
quiry  had  been  answered,  "Friends, with  countersign,"  Mason 
rode  forward  at  the  demand,  "Advance  and  give  counter 
sign,"  until  close  to  his  man,  when  he  was  ordered  to  dis 
mount.  As  this  fellow  was  evidentlv  more  cautious  than  his 
fellows  a  little  apprehension  was  felt  for  Mason's  safety,  and 
the  next  moment  was  awaited  with  suspense.  Suddenly  two 
shots  rang  out  simultaneously  on  the  night  air,  breaking  the 
solemn  stillness  of  the  hour.  Dashing  up,  I  found  Mason  and 
the  Yankee  lying  on  the  ground,  Mason  shot  through  the 
shoulder  and  the  Yankee  through  the  stomach.  No  disturb- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ance  had  been  made  until  the  encounter  with  this  picket,  but 
now  the  alarm  was  given,  and  a  speedy  retreat  was  necessary, 
as  the  reserve  would  soon  be  upon  us.  Putting  Mason  on  his 
horse,  I  started  south  on  the  Berryvilie  turnpike,  Mason, 
prisoners  and  small  guard  in  front,  and  some  three  or  four  in 
rear  to  protect  them.  The  enemy  pursued  only  a  short  dis 
tance,  and  very  cautiously.  Halting  at  each  favorable  point, 
the  advance  was  greeted  with  a  little*  volley,  which  seems 
from  the  enemy's  account  not  to  have  been  without  effect. 
After  passing  Roper's  Hill  the  pursuit  seems  to  have  been 
abandoned,  and  Mason  was  taken  into  Mr.  Milburn's  house 
on  the  Frame  (now  Burns)  farm,  his  wound  dressed  and 
bound.  Our  retreat  was  then  continued  to  Clarke  and  Warren 
counties,  and  the  prisoners  sent  to  Gordonsville. 

The  enemy's  report  of  this  affair,  contained  in  the  following 
dispatches,  is  very  meagre : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

March   15,   1865. 
General  STEVENSON,  Harper's  Ferry: 

General  Hancock  wishes  to  know  whether  there  is  any 
truth  in  the  report  that  the  guerrillas  attacked  some  of  your 
pickets  the  other  night,  killing  one  of  Reno's  men. 

C.  H.  MORGAN,  Brevet  Brigadier-General. 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  March  15,  1865. 
Brigadier-General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff: 

On  the  evening  of  the  I3th  instant  a  party  of  guerrillas 
attacked  one  of  Reno's  picket  posts,  killing  one  man  and 
wounding  two  others.  JOHN  D.  STEVENSON, 

Brigadier-General. 

The  streams  continuing  swollen,  operations  were  suspended 
for  some  weeks.  On  the  5th  of  April,  at  North  Fork  Church, 
in  Loudoun  county,  Colonel  Mosby,  who  had  recovered  from 
his  wound  and  returned  to  his  command,  organized  another 
company  (H),  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  George 
Baylor,  captain;  Edward  F.Thompson,  first  lieutenant;  James 
G.  Wiltshire,  second  lieutenant;  and  B.  Frank  Carter,  third 
lieutenant. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  311 

The  mode  of  this  election  was  unique  and  novel,  and  would 
do  credit  to  the  Sachem  of  Tammany.  Colonel  Mosby  was 
present,  and  the  men  were  drawn  up  in  line  facing  him.  The 
men  were  mostly  personally  unknown  to  me,  and  how  a  lot 
of  strangers  were  going  to  elect  me  their  captain  was  an 
enigma  my  juvenile  brain  could  not  solve.  But  Colonel 
Mosby  had  promised  I  should  be  captain,  and  I  had  abiding 
faith  in  him,  so  I  remained  near  by  to  see  how  it  would  be 
accomplished.  At  that  time  I  was  young  and  little  versed  in 
politics  and  the  ways  of  the  heathen  Chinee.  Colonel  Mosby 
then  called  attention,  and  said,  "  Men,  I  nominate  George 
Baylor,  of  Jefferson  county,  captain  of  this  company."  He 
did  not  wait  for  a  second,  but  continued,  "All  in  favor  of 
Baylor  as  captain,  say  aye."  There  was  a  feeble  response 
along  the  line,  and  much  apprehension  was  felt  by  me  to  hear 
the  negatives,  but  no  opportunity  was  afforded  the  negatives, 
and  proclamation  was  immediately  made  by  the  Colonel, 
"  George  Baylor  is  unanimously  chosen  captain."  The  other 
officers  were  elected  in  the  same  extraordinary  way,  and  the 
Colonel  pronounced  the  company  ready  for  service,  and 
ordered  me  to  take  it  on  a  scout  to  Jefferson  and  baptize  it. 
The  company  numbered  about  50  men,  and  were  well 
mounted  and  equipped.  According  to  the  Mosby  custom,  I 
disbanded  the  company  for  the  night,  with  orders  to  meet 
next  morning  at  Snickersville.  The  company  met  according 
to  order,  and,  crossing  the  Shenandoah  at  Snicker's  Ferry, 
moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Charlestown.  On  the  way  I 
learned  that  the  Loudoun  Rangers  were  camped  near  Mill- 
ville  (Keyes  Switch,  as  it  was  then  called),  and  that  most  of 
the  Federal  cavalry  had  gone  up  the  Valley.  The  Loudoun 
Rangers  were  two  companies  composed  of  men  from  Lou 
doun  county  and  the  neighboring-  country,  and  Mosby's  men 
had  long  been  desirous  of  capturing  them.  Here  was  the 
opportunity:  a  regiment  of  infantry  was  camped  just  east  of 
Halltown,  picketing  down  to  the  river,  and  it  was  necessary 
to  pass  through  this  line  of  infantry  pickets  to  reach  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Rangers'  camp.  The  infantry  picket  was  approached  about 
10  A.  M.,  saluted,  and  passed  without  molestation,  our  men 
keeping  perfectly  in  rank,  and  making  no  efrbrt  to  capture  or 
disturb  them.  This  picket  very  politely  gave  us  the  usual 
military  salute —  "  present  arms  "-—but  some  of  our  boys,  who 
took  a  sly  glance  at  them,  say  it  was  the  most  tremulous 
salute  they  ever  witnessed.  Having  safely  passed  the  infantry 
picket  line,  we  rode  quietly  to  within  fifty  yards  of  the 
Rangers'  camp,  and  seeing  them  in  their  cavalry  tents,  horses 
tied  to  stakes,  and  engaged  in  various  diversions,  ordered  a 
charge.  They  outnumbered  our  force  two  to  one,  but  we 
were  playing  a  bold  game,  and  the  bold  game  generally  wins 
in  war  as  well  as  in  cards.  With  two  jacks  and  the  joker  in 
our  hands,  our  opponents  must  yield.  A  general  flurry  and 
commotion  followed  our  charge.  A  few  seemed  disposed  to 
fight,  but  most  to  surrender.  A  few  shots  soon  quieted  the 
more  pugilistic.  Some  ran  for  the  bushes  and  made  good 
their  escape,  but  the  greater  part  were  made  prisoners.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  two  killed,  four  wounded,  65  prisoners, 
8 1  horses  and  equipments;  our  loss,  one  wounded,  Frank 
Helm,  of  Warrenton.  This  was  a  pretty  good  beginning  for 
Company  H,  yet  scarce  two  days  old,  and  it  felt  proud  of  its 
achievement.  Gathering  up  the  prisoners,  horses  and  equip 
ments,  the  tents  and  wagons  were  fired,  and  Company  H 
rode  off,  while  the  Federal  infantry  in  full  view  were  sound 
ing  the  "  long  roll  "  and  falling  into  line.  The  river  was 
crossed  at  Keyes's  Ford,  and  pursuit  was  not  attemote.d  by 
the  enemy. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing  I  have  seen  a  volume  entitled 
"  Loudoun  Rangers,"  writen  by  Briscoe  Goodhart,  who 
claims  to  have  been  a  member  of  that  command,  and  found 
therein  the  following  account  of  the  affair: 

"April  the  6th,  the  command,  or  rather  what  few  were  at 
the  camp,  were  taking  their  ease,  when  a  body  of  about  250 
men  in  blue  uniform  approached  from  the  northwest,  or  the 
Charlestown  turnpike.  Little  attention  was  given,  as  it  was 


James  T.  Trussell. 


314  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

supposed  this  was  a  body  of  Custer's  Cavalry,  that  was  known 
to  be  in  the  Valley.  The  column  came  up  to  less  than  fifty 
yards,  when  they  dashed  into  our  camp,  capturing  the 
majority  of  the  few  that  were  there.  This  force  proved  to  be 
Mosby's  command,  who  thus  approached  our  camp  under  the 
guise  of  Federal  troops.  We  had  about  20  broken-down 
horses  in  camp,  and  most  of  them  were  taken.  As  they 
undertook  to  recross  the  Shenandoah  river  our  pickets  that 
were  stationed  there  in  charge  of  George  V.  Kern,  opened 
fire  on  them,  wounding  several.  One  picket,  Frank  Kidwell, 
of  Company  B,  was  dangerously  wounded  and  left  on  the  field 
for  dead.  Richmond  having  fallen  into  Federal  hands,  these 
prisoners  were  kept  in  custody  by  Mosby  about  one  week  and 
paroled." 

This  statement  is  very  incorrect,  probably  because  the 
author  was  not  present  on  this  occasion.  Our  men  did  not 
exceed  50.  The  company  had  only  been  organized  the  day 
before,  and  its  ranks  were  far  from  full.  Neither  is  it  true 
that  we  wore  blue  uniforms.  I  remember  that  when  the  camp 
of  the  Rangers  was  entered,  David  Mohler,  orderly  sergeant 
of  the  company;  Lieutenant  Wiltshire  (now  Dr.  James  G. 
Wiltshire,  of  Baltimore),  and  myself  were  riding  in  front,  and 
were  all  dressed  in  grey  uniforms,  and  while  there  may  have 
been  an  occasional  blue  overcoat,  I  know  that  the  men  gen- 
eraily  wore  Confederate  attire.  I  am  impressed  with  the  fact 
of  Wiltshire's  presence  in  front  by  an  incident  then  occurring. 
As  the  company  was  new  and  untried,  I  thought  possibly 
some  of  the  men  might  fall  back  if  stubborn  resistance  was 
made  by  the  enemy,  so  I  directed  Wiltshire  to  repair  to  the 
rear  and  see  that  the  men  kept  closed  up.  He  very  feelingly 
replied :  "  Captain,  don't  send  me  to  the  rear;  I  am  not  accus 
tomed  to  occupy  that  place  when  there  is  a  fight  before  us.'r 
I  fully  appreciated  his  disinclination  and  did  not  further  insist. 
We  did  approach  very  near  before  assuming  a  hostile  attitude. 
We  sailed  into  that  camp  much  like  Dewey  sailed  into  the 
harbor  of  Manila,  fully  resolved  to  whip  these  Yankees,  or 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  315 

get  an  awful  whipping  ourselves.  I  am  fully  aware  that  these 
Rangers  were  surprised  and  taken  at  great  disadvantage,  but 
the  fact  is  they  greatly  outnumbered  us.  Some  of  them  were 
at  the  river  near  by  fishing  and  escaped  in  the  undergrowth, 
as  did  also  a  portion  of  those  in  camp,  but  some  65  men  were 
taken  prisoners,  and  the  Loudoun  Rangers  thereafter  ceased 
to  exist.  The  horses  there  captured  were  not  broken  down, 
but  among  the  finest  taken  during  the  war.  A  fine  grey 
horse,  the  property  of  Captain  Grubb,  then  commanding  the 
Rangers,  was  presented  by  Company  H  to  Colonel  Mosby, 
and  a  fine  bay  mare  was  retained  and  ridden  by  me,  and  the 
residue  divided  among  the  company,  while  a  dozen  or  so  were 
restored  to  their  lawful  owners,  from  whom  they  had  been 
recently  taken. 

General  Stevenson,  commanding  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and 
under  whose  orders  the  Loudoun  Rangers  were  acting,  on 
the  same  day  of  the  capture  wires  General  Hancock  at  Win 
chester  as  follows : 

HARPER'S  FERRY,  April  6,  1865. 

Mosby  surprised  the  camp  of  the  Loudoun  Rangers  near 
Keyes's  Ford  and  cleaned  than  out.  He  made  the  attack  about 
10  A.  M.  I  have  sent  out  some  infantry.  \Yhen  I  get  a  report 
I  will  send  you  particulars.  JOHN  D.  STEVENSON, 

Brigadier-General. 

Does  this  sustain  Mr.  Goodhart's  version  of  the  affair? 
General  Hancock,  in  his  official  report  of  this  affair,  says: 

"  On  the  6th  of  April,  a  body  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  sur 
prised  the  camp  of  the  Loudoun  Rangers,  near  Charlestown, 
capturing  a  number  of  men  and  nearly  all  their  horses." 

Is  this  the  language  of  a  general  reporting  the  capture  of 
a  few  broken-down  horses? 

Lieutenant-Colonel  D.  R.  Clendenin,  of  the  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  who  was  scouting  through  Loudoun  county  about 
this  time,  in  his  report,  says : 

"  On  the  6th,  40  Federal  prisoners  passed  through  Upper- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

ville,  having  been  taken  by  Mosby's  men,  near  Harper's 
Ferry.  These  prisoners  were  reported  to  belong-  to  the  Lou- 
doun  Rangers." 

Major  Scott,  who  wrote  in  1867,  "  Partisan  Life  with 
Mosby,"  when  these  events  were  fresh  in  the  mind,  and  all  the 
actors  on  both  sides  in  being  and  accessible,  says : 

!t  He  (Baylor)  took  the  precaution  to  pass  in  between  Hall- 
town  (where  there  was  a  brigade  of  infantry)  and  the  camp. 
When  within  fifty  yards  of  the  Loudoun  Rangers,  the  order 
to  charge  was  given.  Two  of  them  were  killed,  four  wounded, 
and  65  taken  prisoners,  together  with  Si  horses  with  their 
equipments.  The  rest  of  the  command  sought  refuge  in  the 
bushes.  The  only  loss  which  Baylor  sustained  was  Frank 
Helm,  of  Warrenton,  who  was  wounded  as  he  charged  among 
the  foremost  into  the  camp.  When  Major-General  Hancock, 
so  distinguished  in  the  Federal  Army,  heard  of  Baylor's 
exploit,  he  laughed  heartily,  and  exclaimed,  '  Well,  that  is 
the  last  of  the  Loudoun  Rangers.'  " 

It  is  the  province  of  the  true  historian  to  sift  the  truth  from 
conflicting  statements,  and  the  reader  may  form  his  own  con 
clusions  as  to  this  affair ! 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  some  readers  to  know  from  whence 
sprang  "  Mosby's  men,"  and  how  they  lived  and  maintained 
themselves  within  the  enemy's  lines.  Until  the  early  spring 
of  1863,  Mosby's  command  had  no  regular  organization,  and 
although  its  chief  had  no  real  title,  he  was  generally  known 
as  "  Captain  Mosby,"  a  private  in  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry, 
on  scouting  duty  for  General  Stuart.  About  the  I2th  of 
March,  Mosby  made  a  daring  raid  on  General  Stoughton,  at 
Fairfax  Courthouse,  brought  himself  into  prominence  before 
his  superiors,  and  was  honored  by  the  following  general 
order : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

March  12,  1863. 

Captain  John  S.  Mosby  has  for  a  long  time  attracted  the 
attention  of  his  generals  by  his  boldness,  skill,  and  success,  so 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  317 

signally  displayed  in  his  numerous  forays  upon  the  invaders 
of  his  native  State.  None  know  his  daring  enterprise  and 
dashing  heroism  better  than  the  foul  invaders,  though 
strangers  themselves  to  such  noble  traits.  His  late  brilliant 
exploit — the  capture  of  Brigadier-General  Stoughton,  United 
States  army,  two  captains,  30  other  prisoners,  together  with 
arms,  equipments,  and  58  horses,  justifies  this  recognition 
in  general  orders.  The  feat,  unparalleled  in  the  war,  was 
performed  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  troops  at  Fairfax 
Courthouse  without  loss  or  injury.  The  gallant  band  of  Cap 
tain  Mosby  share  the  glory  as  they  did  the  danger  of  this 
enterprise,  and  are  worthy  of  such  a  leader. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

A  short  time  after  this  adventure,  Mosby  received  the  fol 
lowing  : 

ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

March  23,  1863. 
Captain  JOHN  S.  MOSBY  : 

Captain, — You  will  perceive  from  the  copy  of  the  order 
herewith  inclosed,  that  the  President  has  appointed  you 
Captain  of  Partisan  Rangers.  The  General  commanding 
directs  me  to  say  that  you  proceed  at  once  to  organize  your 
company,  with  the  understanding  that  it  be  placed  on  a  foot 
ing  with  all  troops  of  the  line,  and  to  be  mustered  uncondi 
tionally  into  the  Confederate  service  for  and  during  the  war. 
Though  you  are  to  be  its  captain,  the  men  will  have  the  privi 
lege  of  electing  the  lieutenants,  so  soon  as  its  numbers  reach 
the  legal  standard.  You  will  report  your  progress  from  time 
to  time,  and  when  the  requisite  number  of  men  are  enrolled, 
an  officer  will  be  designated  to  muster  the  company  into 
service.  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  H.  TAYLOR, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  General  STUART  writes : 

Dear  Captain :  I  inclose  your  evidence  of  appointment  by 
the  President  in  the  Provisional  Army  of  the  Confederate 
States.  You  will  perceive  by  General's  Lee  accompanying 
instructions,  that  you  will  be  continued  in  your  present  sphere 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

of  conduct  and  enterprise,  and  already  a  captain,  you  will 
proceed  to  organize  a  band  of  permanent  followers  for  the 
war,  but  by  all  means  ignore  the  term  "partisan  Rangers." 
It  is  in  bad  repute.  Call  your  men  "  Mosby's  Regulars,"  and 
it  will  give  a  tone  and  meaning  and  solid  worth  which  all  the 
world  will  soon  recognize,  and  you  will  inscribe  that  name  of 
a  fearless  band  of  heroes  on  the  pages  of  our  country's  history 
and  enshrine  it  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  people.  Let 
"  Mosby's  Regulars  "  be  a  name  of  pride  with  friends  and 
respectful  trepidation  with  enemies. 

You  will  have  to  be  very  much  on  your  guard  against  in 
corporating  into  your  command  deserters  from  other 
branches  of  the  service.  Insist  on  the  most  unequivocal 
evidence  of  honorable  discharge  in  all  cases.  Non-conscripts 
under  and  over  age  will  be  very  advantageous.  Their  entry 
into  service  must  be  unconditional,  excepting  that  you  are 
their  captain,  and  their  lieutenants  to  be  chosen  by  the  men, 
provided  no  unworthy  man  be  chosen.  As  there  is  no  time 
within  which  you  are  required  to  raise  this  command,  you 
ought  to  be  very  fastidious  in  choosing  your  men,  and  make 
them  stand  the  test  of  battle  and  temptation  to  neglect  duty, 
before  acceptance. 

I  was  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the  saddle  of  Stoughton. 
I  wish  you  would  send  me  whatever  evidence  you  may  be 
able  to  furnish  of  Miss  Ford's  innocence  of  the  charge  of 
having  guided  you  in  your  exploit  at  Fairfax,  so  that  I  can 
insist  upon  unconditional  release. 

Be  vigilant  about  your  own  safety,  and  do  not  have  any 
established  headquarters  anywhere  but  "  in  the  saddle." 

I  hope  Mrs.  Mosby  reached  you  in  safety.  My  regards  to 
her,  if  still  with  you>  Your  praise  is  on  every  lip,  and  the 
compliment  the  President  has  paid  you  is  as  marked  as  it  is 
deserved.  Very  truly  yours, 

J.  E.  B.  STUART. 

The  name  "  Mosby's  Regulars "  did  not  long  adhere  to 
the  command,  but  was  soon  supplanted  by  friend  and  foe 
with  that  more  descriptive  and  more  popular  name,  "  Mosby's 
Men.7'  Stuart's  advice  was  taken  and  the  men  were  chosen 
by  Mosby  after  satisfactory  trial,  and  were  principally  young 
unmarried  men.  They  had  no  tents,  or  baggage,  or  commis 
sary  wagons,  but  had  homes  within  Mosby's  Confederacy, 


Moses  Trussell. 


$20  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

which  comprised  the  counties  of  Fauquier  and  Loudoun,  and 
used  these  homes,  as  the  foxes  do  their  dens,  as  places  of 
abode  in  hours  of  safety,  and  to  be  avoided  iu  hours  of  danger. 
The  command  met  by  appointment  or  summons,  and  went 
off  on  forays  into  the  enemy's  camps,  and,  returning,  divided 
the  spoils  and  dispersed  among  their  abodes : 

"  Then  sweet  the  hour  that  brings  release 

From  danger  and  from  toil, 
We  talk  the  battle  over 

And  share  the  battle  spoil; 
The  woodland  rings  with  laugh  and  shout, 

As  if  a  hunt  were  up, 
And  woodland   flowers   are  gathered 

To  crown  the  soldier's  cup, 
With  merry  songs  we  mock  the  wind 

That  in  the  tree-top  grieves, 
And  slumber  long  and  sweetly 

On  beds  of  oaken  leaves." 

When  not  on  duty  the  men  enjoyed  various  diversions — 
horse-races,  card-parties,  and  dances  principally.  The  belles 
of  Virginia  were  abundant  and  beaux  were  plentiful.  The 
danger  that  surrounded  them  gave  zest  and  piquaixy  to  their 
sports  and  frolics. 

There  was  not  an  unmarried  man  in  Mosby's  Confederacy 
who  did  not  have  one  sweetheart  at  least,  and  some  had  more 
than  their  share.  The  religious  side  of  the  men  was  some 
what  neglected.  The  command  possessed  a  chaplain  in 
name,  but  fear  the  chaplain's  practices,  if  not  his  tenets, 
tended  more  towards  the  broad  than  the  straight  and  narrow 
way.  He  was  generally  found  among  the  gay  and  festive, 
dancing  to  the  tune  of  "  Sugar  in  the  Gourd,"  or,  "All 
Around  the  Chicken  Roost,"  or,  around  the  gaming-table, 
shouting,  "  High,  low,  jack  and  the  game,"  or,  at  the  race 
betting  on  the  "  grey  mare."  But  there  were  many  pious  men 
among  "  Mosby's  Men,"  whose  noble  examples  did  much 
towards  leavening  the  whole  lump,  and  who  to-day  stand  in 
the  foremost  ranks  of  the  Christian  ministry.  The  men  were 
not  paid  by  the  Confederate  Government,  but  were  allowed 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  321 

all  captures,  and  on  these  they  maintained  themselves  and 
fared  sumptuously.  These  spoils  were  generously  shared 
with  the  home-folks  of  our  shebangs  and  our  chief  circulating 
medium  was  "  booty  and  greenbacks." 

My  home  was  chosen  about  two  miles  south  of  Hillsboro, 
at  the  eastern  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  on  the  western  border 
of  the  Mosby  Confederacy,  with  this  mountain  and  the  Shen- 
andoah  river  on  its  western  side  as  barriers  from  attack  in 
that  quarter.  In  this  rural  retreat,  I  was  never  disturbed  by 
the  Yankees,  and  heartily  enjoyed  the  sumptuous  entertain 
ment  and  quiet  repose  found  there.  I  was  in  every  respect  as 
snug  as  I  could  wish,  and  looked  forward  with  many  hopes 
and  aspirations  to  my  new  sphere  of  action. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Farewell,  fallen  brothers,  though  this  life  be  o'er, 
There's  another,  in  which  we  shall  meet  you  once  more. 

Schiller. 

Soldier,  rest;  thy  warfare  o'er, 

Sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking. 

Dream  of  battle-fields  no  more, 
Days  of  sighing,  nights  of  waking, 

Morn  of  toil  or  eve  of  breaking. 

Scott. 

On  April  8,  1865,  Mosby's  command,  pursuant  to  orders, 
met  at  Upperville,  and  Companies  D  and  H  were  ordered  on 
a  scout  down  in  Fairfax  county.  Captain  Glasscock,  of  Com 
pany  D,  being  my  senior,  the  command  of  the  squadron  and 
the  responsibility  of  the  venture  devolved  upon  him.  This 
was  a  great  relief  to  me.  My  ambition  was  to  excel  in  the 
performance  of  duty  rather  than  to  aspire  to  be  a  leader 
among  men.  While  the  men  shared  equally  with  the  leader 
in  the  glory  of  a  victory,  the  leader  alone  must  bear  the  shame 
and  ignominy  of  defeat.  It  was  especially  pleasing  on  this 
occasion  to  have  another  lift  this  burden  from  my  shoulders, 
as  the  expedition  was  bound  to  a  strange  part  of  the  country, 
and  its  aim  and  object,  as  well  as  a  great  majority  of  the  com 
mand,  were  unknown  to  me. 

The  march  was  made  to  Salem  (now  Marshall)  on  the  8th, 
and  the  squadron  was  disbanded,  with  instructions  to  meet 
on  the  next  day  at  the  Plains.  Rest  and  refreshment  were 
found  by  me  at  the  hospitable  mansion  "  Waveland,"  where 
pleasure  and  enjoyment  could  always  be  found  with  the  hosts 
of  young  company  usually  found  there. 

The  command  assembled  on  the  Qth  at  the  appointed  time 
and  place,  and  there  I  learned,  to  my  great  regret  and  sur 
prise,  from  a  note  received  from  Captain  Glasscock,  that  he 
would  be  unable  to  accompany  us  on  account  of  his  wedding, 

[322] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  323 

which  would  take  place  in  a  few  days.  The  command  thus 
devolved  upon  me.  It  was  an  honor  little  coveted,  but  one 
from  which  I  could  not  shrink.  If  I  had  been  given  a  little 
more  time,  I  might  have  found  myself  in  an  equally  excusable 
situation.  Having  acquainted  myself  with  the  destination 
of  our  expedition  and  our  guides,  I  moved  off  across  Bull 
Run  mountains,  not  without  some  misgivings,  and  camped 
that  night  at  a  place  called  Arundels,  a  short  distance  from 
Fairfax  Station'.  The  rain  was  falling  in  torrents,  and  our 
preparations  were  not  made  for  such  weather.  About  the 
middle  of  the  night  one  of  our  officers,  familiar  with  the  coun 
try  and  the  people,  informed  me  that  a  house  full  of  young 
ladies  was  close  by,  and  proposed  that  I  should  go  with  him, 
find  shelter,  and  a  pleasant  visit.  Such  a  tempting  solicita 
tion  could  not  be  resisted.  On  reaching  the  house,  I  found 
quite  a  lot  of  our  men  had  preceded  me,  and  were  in  posses 
sion  of  the  premises  and  the  ladies,  having  a  hilarious  time. 
I  soon  felt  that  the  entertainment  and  the  ladies  were  not 
congenial,  and  having  fully  informed  myself  of  the  situation 
and  proximity  of  the  enemy,  returned  to  our  camp  in  the 
woods,  full  of  suspicion  of  the  loyalty  of  our  hostess.  Fear 
ing  a  surprise,  I  passed  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  suspense 
and  trepidation,  and  gladly  hailed  the  morning  light.  At  day 
break  the  squadron  was  mounted  and  moved  in  the  direction 
of  Burke's  Station,  trusting  our  presence  had  not  yet  become 
known  to  the  enemy.  But  it  seems  the  bird  had  flown,  the 
Yankees  had  been  apprised  of -our  number,  whereabouts 
and  destination.  As  we  approached  Burke's  Station,  we 
found  the  mule  teams,  the  object  of  our  raid,  gone,  our 
scheme'  and  enterprise  frustrated,  and  the  enemy  preparing 
for  us  a  warm  reception.  Seeing  that  the  expedition  was 
fruitless,  we  began  to  retrace  our  steps  and  reached  Arundels, 
Lieutenant  Carter  being  in  the  rear  with  some  twenty  men 
to  prevent  surprise.  Just  as  the  head  of  the  column  passed 
the  Arundels  house  and  Fairfax  Station  road,  our  men  were 
.assailed  in  the  rear,  and  the  rear-guard  forced  into  our 


324  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

column,  creating  some  consternation  and  confusion.  The 
squadron  was  quickly  faced  about,  and  the  enemy's  charge 
repulsed.  But  their  reinforcements  commg  up  at  this  time, 
our  men  were  brought  to  bay  and  victory  lingered  in  doubt. 
Assured  that  a  bold  dash  would  save  us,  I  endeavored  to 
urge  our  men  to  charge,  but  they  had  now  become  somewhat 
dispirited  and  disorganized,  and  all  attempts  in  that  direction 
were  futile.  In  this  effort  I  was  ably  assisted  by  some  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  command.  In  a  short  time  our  line 
began  to  waver  and  break,  and  retreat  was  inevitable.  About 
two  hundred  yards  south  of  Arundels  was  an  open  space  of 
ground  favorable  for  cavalry  movements.  Here  I  proposed 
to  make  a  stand,  and  had  succeeded  in  rallying  about  50  men, 
but  when  the  enemy  approached  and  opened  fire  they  gave 
way  and  joined  in  the  retreat.  The  pursuit  lasted  until  the 
Occoquan  was  crossed  at  Wolf  Run  Shoals,  and  it  is  there 
that  Lieutenant  Wiltshire  claims  the  honor  of  having  fired  the 
last  shot  of  the  war.  I  was  much  mortified  at  the  result  of  this 
fight,  but  felt  I  had  done  my  best  to  avoid  it.  In  this  engage 
ment  my  horse  was  shot  in  the  nostrils  and  foreleg  and  nearly 
succeeded  in  unhorsing  me.  Company  D  in  this  fight  num 
bered  about  75  men,  and  Company  II,  about  40  men.  Oppos 
ing  us  were  Companies  G,  H,  and  K,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry, 
under  Colonel  Albright,  about  250  men.  The  loss  on  each 
side  was  nearly  equal,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  Federal  account. 

APRIL  10,  1865. 
General  GAMBLE  : 

I  have  just  come  into  camp  from  a  fight  with  a  battalion 
of  Mosby's  men,  under  command  of  Captain  Baylor.  I 
whipped  him  like  thunder,  and  captured  a  number  of  horses 
and  some  provisions.  Had  a  few  men  wounded  and  a  half- 
dozen  horses  killed.  Will  send  a  full  account  at  an  early  hour. 

CHARLES  ALBRIGHT,  Colonel. 

Colonel  Albright  may  have  captured  a  couple  of  horses,  but 
where  he  found  those  provisions  I  cannot  imagine,  as  Mosby's 
men  had  no  wagons,  or  even  haversacks.  They  usually  car- 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  325 

ried  their  provisions  in  their  stomachs,  and  not  much  there  on 
this  occasion,  as  we  were  without  breakfast  ihat  morning. 
The  Colonel  possessed  as  keen  a  perception  as  the  old  darkey 
who  saw  provisions  in  the  Constitution. 

During"  the  day,  the  Colonel  gives  his  full  report  of  the 
fight,  ia  which  the  provisions  are  not  mentioned  : 

FAIRFAX  STATION,  April  10,  1865. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  this  morning  I  received 
information  through  a  source  I  considered  reliable,  that  a 
force  of  rebel  cavalry  was  south  of  this  post,  moving  towards 
Burke's  Station,  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  teams  at  work 
there.  I  immediately  ordered  out  all  the  cavalry  I  have  under 
my  command,  and  started  in  the  direction  indicated.  About 
three  miles  from  here  I  came  upon  the  trail  of  the  enemy  and 
followed  it  towards  Burke's  Station,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
which  place  some  shots  were  exchanged  between  the  enemy 
and  a  detachment  of  Company  K,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
The  rebels  upon  being  discovered  beat  back  into  the  woods, 
and  upon  my  recovery  of  the  trail  again,  followed,  taking  with 
me  Lieutenant  Hupp's  command.  At  Arundels  I  discovered 
them  formed  into  line,  and  behind  the  house,  barn,  and  fence. 
I  ordered  my  men  into  line  as  rapidly  as  I  could,  advanced 
and  opened  fire.  The  rebels  soon  broke  and  I  charged  after 
them.  We  drove  them  to  Wolf  Run  Shoals,  and  saw  their 
rear  cross.  I  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  follow  any  farther, 
as  our  horses  were  pretty  well  exhausted,  and  the  column 
pretty  well  scattered  along  the  road.  The  enemy's  force  was 
a  battalion  of  Mosby's  command,  Companies  D  and  H,  Cap 
tain  Baylor  in  command.  Captain  Briscoe  was  in  command 
of  Company  D,  numbering  altogether  about  150  men.  They 
had  started  from  Upperville  on  Saturday  morning  last.  The 
casualties  are  as  follows :  Company  G,  two  men  slightly 
wounded,  three  horses  killed  and  three  wounded;  Company 
H,  one  horse  killed;  Company  K,  one  horse  killed  and  one 
wounded.  Richard  McVey,  wounded  seriously;  Edward 
Heflebower,  Thomas  H.  Harvey,  Engineer  Bureau;  Lieu 
tenant  Company  F,  Sixth  Missouri;  First  Sergeant  David  G. 
Mohler,  Company  H,  and  Samuel  Rodgers;  six  horses  cap 
tured  and  six  or  eight  horses  killed;  seven  complete  sets  of 
horse  equipments.  I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  gallantry 
of  Captain  Warner,  Lieutenants  Brooks  and  Huff,  and  also 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

of  their  men.  It  is  also  my  duty  to  add  that  the  information 
was  brought  me  from  Arundels,  a  heretofore  suspected  rebel 
family.  Shall  I  send  the  prisoners  over?  * 

CHARLES  ALBRIGHT,  Colonel. 

From  this  report  it  seems  my  suspicions  about  the  Arundel 
family  were  well  founded  and  the  failure  of  the  expedition 
must  be  laid  at  the  door  of  our  unfaithful  friends.  The 
enemy  seems  to  have  confounded  our  squadron  with  the 
detachment  of  Mosby's  command  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Chapman,  which  had  been  wintering  in  the  Northern  Neck. 

FAIRFAX  COURTHOUSE,  VA.,  April  10,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  I.  H.  TAYLOR, 

Chief  of  Staff,  Department  of  Washington : 
Colonel, — The  detachment  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry, 
which  went  out  this  morning,  as  previously  reported,  from 
Fairfax  Station,  met  Mosby's  Battalion,  from  the  Northern 
Neck,  under  Captain  Baylor,  and,  as  usual,  whipped  it  like 
the  devil.  The  Eighth  captured  a  number  of  horses  and 
some  prisoners.  Had  a  few  men  wounded  and  a  half-dozen 
horses  killed.  A  detailed  report  will  be  made  as  soon  as 
practicable.  WILLIAM  GAMBLE, 

Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 

General  Augur  then  inquires : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  WASHINGTON, 

TWENTY-SECOND  ARMY  CORPS, 
,    Washington,  D.  C.,.  April  10,  1865. 
General  GAMBLE, 

Commanding  Fairfax  Courthouse: 

Please  inform  me  if  the  rebels  under  Captain  Baylor  that 
your  men  fought  to-day  are  a  part  of  Major  Chapman's  com 
mand  in  the  Northern  Neck;  and,  if  so,  learn  where  Chapman 
is  with  the  remainder  of  his  command.  Answer  by  9  o'clock 
to-morrow  morning. 

C.  C.  AUGUR,  Major-General. 

Colonel  Gamble  seems  to  think  that  he  had  whipped 
Mosby's  men,  as  usual,  like  the  devil.  If  he  had  ever  accom 
plished  that  feat  before,  it  is  not  recorded  in  sacred  or  pro- 


Thos.  W.  Timberlake. 


328  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

fane  .Yankee  history,  and  if  the  critic  will  carefully  review  the 
reports  from  the  Colonel  himself,  the  advantage  of  this 
occasion  will  appear  exceedingly  small,'*hardly  exceeding 
what  Lord  Coke  would  call  molliter  manus  im  possuit.  Colonel 
Albright,  in  his  report,  admits  his  loss  as  two  men  wounded, 
five  horses  killed  and  four  wounded,  while  he  only  claims 
to  have  inflicted  on  us  a  loss  of  one  man  wounded,  five 
prisoners,  six  horses  killed  and  six  captured.  I  hope  the 
devil  will  never  whip  him  any  worse.  Our  squadron  was 
no  part  of  Colonel  Chapman's  command,  and,  unlike  Colonel 
Albright's  force,  far  away  from  any  support  or  base  of  sup 
plies.  If  there  is  any  glory  in  this  engagement,  our  Yankee 
friends  are  welcome  to  it.  This  was  the  last  fight  of  the  war. 
General  Lee  had  surrendered  on  the  pth,  but  the  fact  was 
only  known  to  us  through  hostile  sources,  which  were  not 
credited.  It  was  a  strange  coincidence  that  my  first  and  last 
fights  were  near  the  same  ground.  On  July  21,  1861,  as  a 
private  in  the  Botts  Greys,  Second  Virginia  Infantry,  Jack 
son's  Brigade,  I  had  received  my  baptism  of  fire  on  the  banks 
of  Bull  Run,  and  now  near  the  same  spot,  well-nigh  four 
years  afterward,  I  had  fired  my  last  shot. 

From  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run!  What  a  tragedy!  What 
trials,  hardships,  suffering  and  death  strewed  the  way,  and 
now  gloom  and  despair  cover  all.  Jackson,  who  had  taught 
our  hands  to  war  and  had  strewn  his  path  with  victory,  was 
dead.  Stuart  the  cavalier,  Ashby  the  knight,  and  Jones  the 
stubborn  soldier,  with  a  host  of  brave  and  heroic  men,  had 
fallen  in  the  conflict,  and  now  Lee,  the  last  hope  of  the 
soldiers  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  had  surrendered. 
We  could  not  even  find  courage  in  despair.  All  was  lost, 
and  the  future  seemed  without  aim  or  object.  Death  and 
the  grave  alone  appeared  inviting.  But  there  was  grandeur 
in  the  retrospect. 

During  this  memorable  period,  it  was  my  proud  fortune  to 
have  seen  service  under  the  illustrious  trio  of  generals — Jack 
son,  Stuart,  and  Robert  E.  Lee.  T  have  ever  regarded  the  first 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  329 

as  the  thunderbolt  of  the  conflict  and  acknowledge  myself 
somewhat  imbued  with  the  sentiment  and  spirit  of  the  good 
old  Catholic  priest,  who  in  his  prayer  said,  "  Lord,  when  in  Thy 
wise  counsels  it  was  decreed  that  our  Southern  cause  should 
be  lost,  Thou  didst  see  that  it  was  necessary  to  remove  Thy 
servant  Stonewall  Jackson."  I  remember  him  in  the  early 
days  of  the  war,  when  few  had  seen  more  than  mediocrity 
in  the  man,  and  was  with  him  on  the  memorable  battle-field 
of  First  Manassas,  when  he  emerged  from  obscurity,  dropped 
the  humble  name  of  his  past  life,  and  became  the  immortal 
"  Stonewall."  Danger  and  peril  seemd  not  only  to  arouse  his 
energies,  but  his  intellect  as  well.  On  the  battle-field  his 
mind  seemed  on  fire  and  worked  with  so  much  clearness  and 
rapidity  that  he  appeared  a  veritable  battle-god.  In  my 
humble  judgment  he  was  the  man  for  the  times,  and  the  only 
one  produced  by  the  war  on  our  side  that  possessed  those 
traits  of  character  essential  to  our  success.  The  situation  in 
1776  and  1861  were  entirely  different.  In  the  first  period  our 
opponents  were  far  removed  from  the  base  of  operations,  and 
transportation  was  slow  and  dangerous.  The  Fabian  policy 
was  then  the  true  one,  and  our  enemies  were  worn  out  by  a 
long  and  protracted  war.  But  in  our  civil  conflict  our  adver 
saries  were  at  our  doors,  just  far  enough  removed  to  render 
their  base  of  supplies  safe.  Our  ports  of  entry  were  closed 
and  our  home  supply  for  a  protracted  war  was  totally  insuffi 
cient.  To  insure  success  and  our  discomfiture,  our  enemy 
needed  only  tenacity  of  purpose,  and  this  qualification  was 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  by  General  Grant.  The  date 
of  his  assignment  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  determined  our  fate.  The  brave  legions  of  Lee, 
victors  on  so  many  fields,  must  yield  to  the  unceasing  and 
untiring  blows  of  Grant,  aided  and  assisted  by  hunger  and 
famine.  Without  means  of  recuperation,  the  war  was  only 
a  question  of  time.  A  vigorous  pursuit  after  the  decisive 
battle  of  First  Manassas  might  have  produced  a  favorable 
result,  and  Jackson  alone  favored  pursuit,  and  exclaimed, 


jjo  /?//7  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

"  Give  me  10,000  men  and  I  will  be  in  Washington  to-night." 
The  men  were  there  in  readiness,  but  no  leader  to  grasp  the 
situation,  and  the  golden  opportunity  was  test.  The  Roman 
Legions,  after  many  defeats  and  after  Hannibal  had  knocked 
at  the  gates  of  the  imperial  city,  learned  the  folly  of  their  war 
policy  and  triumphantly  exclaimed,  "  Carthago  delenda  est." 
General  Lee  wrote  of  Jackson  just  after  his  death  at  Chancel- 
lorsville : 

"  I  do  not  propose  to  speak  here  of  the  character  of  this 
illustrious  man,  since  removed  from  the  scene  of  his  eminent 
usefulness  by  the  hand  of  an  inscrutable,  but  all-wise  Provi 
dence.-  I  nevertheless  desire  to  pay  the  tribute  of  my  admira 
tion  to  the  matchless  energy  and  skill  that  marked  this  last 
act  of  his  life,  forming,  as  it  did,  a  worthy  conclusion  of  that 
long  series  of  splendid  achievements  which  won  for  him  the 
lasting  gratitude  and  love  of  his  country." 

General  Stuart  was  the  Paladin  of  General  Lee's  army. 
Where  his  black  plume  waved,  death  and  destruction  fol 
lowed  in  its  wake.  He  was  the  embodiment  of  chivalry,  brave 
and  daring  in  encounter,  and  mild  and  gentle  in  the  bivouac. 

"  So  sweetly  fierce,  that  when  his  face  is  shown 
You  deem  him  love,  but  Mars  when  helmed  and  steeled, 
He  mounts  his  fiery  barb  and  fulmined  through  the  field." 

He  flashed  across  the  horizon  of  war,  and,  meteor-like, 
disappeared  in  the  brightness  of  his  own  glory.  "  Blessed 
are  they  who  die  in  their  youth,  when  their  martial  deeds  are 
around  them." 

General  Lee  writes  of  him : 

"Among  the  gallant  soldiers  who  have  fallen  in  this  war, 
General  Stuart  was  second  to  none  in  valor,  in  zeal,  and  in 
unflinching  devotion  to  his  country.  His  achievements  form 
a  conspicuous  part  of  the  history  of  this  army,  with  which 
his  name  and  services  will  be  forever  associated.  To  military 
capacity  of  a  high  order  and  to  the  nobler  virtues  of  the 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

soldier,  he  added  the  brighter  graces  of  a  pure  life,  guided 
and  sustained  by  the  Christian's  faith  and  hope.  The 
mysterious  hand  of  an  all-wise  God  has  removed  him  from 
the  scene  of  his  usefulness  and  fame.  His  grateful  country 
men  will  mourn  his  loss  and  cherish  his  memory.  To  his 
comrades  in  arms  he  has  left  the  proud  recollection  of  his 
deeds  and  the  inspiring  influence  of  his  example." 

None  felt  more  deeply  than  General  Lee  the  loss  of  his 
illustrious  lieutenants,  but  he  held  bravely  on,  and  struggled 
manfully  and  heroically  against  inevitable  fate. 

Robert  E.  Lee !     "  Behold  the  man." 

"  Supremacy  is  thrown 
Upon  his  forehead  like  a  shining  star, 
And  every  eye  is  fixed  on  him  alone." 

He  was  the  most  complete  man  of  all  times,  all  occasions, 
and  all  ages.  His  life  has  been  and  will  ever  be  a  benediction 
to  his  race.  His  escutcheon  is  spotless,  his  fame  as  eternal 
as  the  ages,  and  his  character  will  be  impressed  upon  genera 
tions  yet  unborn.  \Yhen  the  passions  and  animosities  of  that 
war  are  totally  dissipated,  and  his  life  and  character  are 
calmly  and  dispassionately  examined  and  studied,  the  univer 
sal  verdict  will  assign  him  the  highest  niche  in  the  temple  of 
fame. 

A  member  of  Company  B,  now  an  eminent  lawyer  at 
Staunton,  relates  the  following  incident  of  his  war  experience 
illustrative  of  the  character  of  our  commanding  General : 

"  Before  the  spring  campaign  of  1864  had  opened,  the 
headquarters  of  General  Lee  were  with  his  infantry  lines 
(about  Orange  Courthouse),  then  fronting  the  forces  of 
Meade  along  the  Rapidan,  with  no  movement  to  indicate 
any  purpose  of  a  general  advance,  reported  from  cavalry 
headquarters,  a  mile  or  so  away,  and  no  reason  for  expecting 
it;  the  main  body  of  our  troops  were  taking  life  very  easy 
in  such  winter  quarters  as  they  found  or  improvised,  foraging 


332  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

by  day  and  frolicking  and  '  flanking '  by  night,  without 
much  enforcement  of  discipline  or  readiness  for  more  serious 
work  in  their  scattered  encampments. 

"  One  of  General  Stuart's  special  detail  of  scouts,  who  was 
operating  for  the  Department  of  Secret  Service  in  the 
enemy's  lines,  along  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  in  the 
lower  Valley,  took  it  into  his  head  about  this  time  of  leisure, 
to  go  home  to  see — a  sister.  Whose  sister  is  not  material  to 
the  story.  His  home  was  at  Charlestown;  that  historical 
village  which  was  quite  in  the  habit  of  changing  hands  be 
tween  the  Federals  and  Confederates  more  than  once  in  the 
day,  but  was  never  known  to  change  its  Confederate  princi 
ples  or  sympathies.  At  this  time  it  was  blue  enough,  with  a 
brigade  of  Pennsylvania  infantry  in  undisturbed  but  vigilant 
possession,  and  the  staff  quartered  within  musket-shot  of  the 
house.  So  the  visitor  had  to  leave  k  Old  Stockinglegs  '  in 
friendly  hiding,  and  do  some  travelling  on  all  fours  to  reach 
the  cover  of  the  old  roof-tree.  And  being  unlucky  enough 
withal  to  stir  up  a  hornet's  nest  of  pickets,  he  was  not  only 
cut  off  from  his  horse,  but  unable  for  two  days  either  to  get 
away  or  to  see  that  sister,  except  through  shutter  cracks,  on 
an  unsuccessful  parley  between  her  and  the  '  Corporal  of  the 
Guard,  post  No.  3.' 

"  It  was  the  day  then  of  hoops,  not  crinoline,  and  the  lady 
in  the  case  had,  under  that  sanctum,  an  elegant  pair  of 
cavalry  boots,  grey  clpth  for  a  uniform.  New  York  and 
Washington  papers  for  him,  and  letters  galore  for  the  boys 
in  camp.  She  was  postmistress.  She  got  in,  tired  and  tear 
ful,  after  dusk,  having  by  some  feminine  inspiration  flanked 
that  picket  by  the  railroad  cut  below.  The  newspapers 
hinted  at  some  important  movement  on  foot  among  the 
80,000  troops  under  Grant  about  Lookout  Mountain  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  in  Tennessee.  The  scout  crawled  out  that 
night  between  posts,  and  faithful  old  John,  one  of  a  dozen 
negroes,  big  and  little,  who  had  been  helping  to  hide  him 
and  lying  to  the  Yankees,  brought  him  a  little  runt  of  a 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Canadian  pony,  which  had  been  concealed,  and  at  odd  times 
fed,  in  a  dark  cellar,  and  so  he  made  his  way  to  the  hills  over 
looking  Harper's  Ferry.  There  he  was  met,  by  appointment, 
by  a  citizen  friend  (Eichelberger)  with  more  Northern  news 
papers;  and  while  they  talked,  long  trains  began  to  pass 
from  the  west  without  stopping  at  the  Ferry,  and  in  such 
quick  succession  that  curiosity  took  them  closer.  Over  a 
dozen  trains  loaded  with  troops  and  artillery  carried  explana 
tion  enough  to  the  scout  of  a  sudden  movement  from  the 
Army  of  the  West,  then  fronting  Bragg,  to  reinforce  Meade 
for  an  assault  upon  the  unprepared  troops  of  Lee,  in  their 
scattered  winter  quarters.  And  suspicion  thus  confirmed, 
it  was  not  very  long  before  that  pony  was  twenty  miles  away, 
swimming  the  Shenandoah  for  the  Loudoun  side  at  Snicker's 
Ferry.  Swollen  as  it  was  by  the  rains,  horse  and  rider  were 
carried  down  by  the  current  and  reached  the  other  bank 
drenched  and  exhausted.  Yet  that  little  Canadian  held  out, 
at  an  almost  unbroken  lope,  for  some  twenty  miles  or  more, 
with  one  hurried  feed  on  a  pavement  at  '  Little  Washington/ 
in  Rappahamiock,  then  collapsed  and  died,  while  the  saddle 
was  being  buckled  on  a  fresher  horse  impressed  from  a  farmer 
by  the  roadside. 

"  Somehow  or  other,  and  like  some  long  nightmare,  those 
eighty-five  miles  and  more  were  covered,  report  made  to 
General  Stuart,  the  scout  sent  on  without  a  moment's  delay 
to  General  Lee,  and  almost  as  quickly  admitted  to  his  tent, 
the  simple  headquarters  establishment  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia.  There  he  was  received  and  seated  with 
as  much  dignified  politeness  as  if  the  boy  private  had  been  a 
corps  commander.  And  in  less  than  ten  minutes  the  General 
knew  about  all  there  w^as  in  him,  or  in  his  newspapers,  and 
had  left  the  tent.  What  followed  was  a  blank,  for  perhaps  two 
hours,  the  last  words  heard  being  rapid  directions  to  a  staff 
officer  for  the  movement  and  concentration  of  some  infantry 
brigades.  He  awoke,  as  he  had  awaked  more  than  once  on 
that  uncanny  ride,  with  the  sensation  that  his  horse  was  about 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

to  carry  him  over  the  brink  of  a  precipice,  immediately  in 
front.  He  was  somewhat  done  up  by  loss  of  rest  at  the  start, 
and  the  ride  had  almost  finished  him,  physically  and  mentally. 
The  torture  from  want  of  sleep  had  been  something  inde 
scribable.  All  sorts  of  outlandish  phantasms  and  vagaries 
had  attended  it.  Men  would  be  cantering  alongside  and  get 
ting  in  his  way,  but  they  were  ghosts  to  the  touch.  He  could 
see  Meade's  men  in  blue  silently  moving  to  a  midnight 
attack.  Fantastic  forms  were  all  about.  River  and  mountain 
and  forest  were  blended  confusedly.  His  mind  had  been 
acting  and  yet  hardly  conscious  of  its  action  much  of  the 
time,  and  the  body  acted'mechanically.  As  he  tried  to  realize 
where  he  was,  the  tent-fly  was  softly  opened  and  the  noble 
head  of  General  Lee  appeared.  After  pleasant  greeting  it 
turned  out  that  upon  his  leaving,  the  tired  boy  had  sunk 
forward  from  the  camp  chair  upon  the  General's  cot  in  a 
dead  sleep.  The  owner  returning,  had  thrown  a  cloak  over 
him,  left  him  in  quiet  possession,  tied  the  tapes  of  the  tent 
door,  and  practically  stood  guard  by  walking  up  and  down 
between  the  tent  and  the  camp-fire,  in  the  bleak  wintry  night, 
that  the  youngster  might  sleep  without  disturbance,  as 
couriers  came  and  went." 

To  speak  pf  that  youngster  as  ashamed  would  poorly 
express  his  feelings,  and  it  was  even  more  embarrassing  to 
have  a  special  supper  served  to  him  in  the  General's  tent,  and 
to  be  honored  by  compliment  on  what  he  had  done.  As  for 
the  supper,  it  was  the  same  plain  and  scanty  repast  he  saw 
several  times  afterward  at  the  General's  mess-table,  and  (with 
the  addition  of  red  pepper  and  mustard)  just  what  was  being 
issued  to  his  men  in  the  ranks,  for  he  would  accept  no 
luxuries.  But  the  ration  was  garnished  always  with  the 
grace  of  his  dignified  courtesy. 

Was  it  any  wonder  that  his  men  loved  "  Marse  Bob"? 
What  other  commander  of  an  army  at  such  a  time  would 
have  shown  such  delicate  consideration  for  an  unknown 
soldier? 


Philip  Terrill. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

Sure  enough,  the  purpose  was  a  brisk  attack  upon  Lee's 
lines,  resting  in  the  fancied  security  of  their  winter  quarters. 
Meade  was  to  drive  a  wedge  between  hif  widely-separated 
wings  as  the  beginning  of  an  "  on  to  Richmond  "  movement. 

But  Meade's  blow  was  not  delivered.  Forewarned  was 
forearmed.  His  stealthy  advance,  in  heavy  columns,  found 
Lee  waiting  for  it  in  strong  intrenchments  behind  Mine  Run, 
"  ready  and  willin'  "  for  a  fight.  Our  artillery  had  been 
brought  up  from  the  grazing  camps  to  the  fighting  line,  and 
every  gunner  was  ready  to  take  his  place.  The  Federal  gen 
erals  were  the  only  people  "  surprised."  Instead  of  assault 
ing,  Meade  went  to  intrenching  on  his  own  account.  He  is 
said  to  have  declared  that  he  could  carry  that  position  with 
a  loss  of  30,000  men,  but  as  that  idea  was  frightful,  there 
seemed  nothing  to  do  but  retire  to  his  old  ground.  And 
retire  he  did.  The  armies  confronted  each  other  for  four 
days,  at  some  points  less  than  half  a  mile  apart,  and  separted 
without  closing  for  the  struggle,  Meade  finally  backing  out 
the  night  before  Lee  had  arranged  to  attack  him,  and  retreat 
ing  to  the  Rapidan.  The  dawn  showed  only  his  deserted 
camp-fires.  The  episode  indicates  how  fully,  at  all  points, 
the  rounded  character  of  our  great  leader  answered  the 
question,  What  it  is  to  be  a  gentleman.  "  To  be  gentle  as 
well  as  to  be  honest,  to  be  generous,  to  be  brave,  to  be  wise, 
and,  possessing  all  these  qualities,  to  exercise  them  in  the 
most  graceful  outward  manner." 

Senator  Hill,  in  his  grand  eulogy  on  Lee,  has  not  over 
drawn  the  picture,  when  he  says : 

"  He  was  a  foe  without  hate,  a  friend  without  treachery, 
a  soldier  without  cruelty,  and  a  victim  without  murmuring. 
He  was  a  public  officer  without  vices,  a  private  citizen  with 
out  wrong,  a  neighbor  without  reproach,  a  Christian  without 
hypocrisy,  and  a  man  without  guilt.  He  was  Caesar  without 
his  ambition,  Frederick  without  his  tyranny,  Napoleon  with 
out  his  selfishness,  and  Washington  without  his  reward.  He 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  337 

was  as  obedient  to  authority  as  a  servant  and  royal  in 
authority  as  a  king.  He  was  gentle  as  a  woman  in  life,  pure 
and  modest  as  a  virgin  in  thought,  watchful  as  a  Roman 
vestal,  submissive  to  law  as  Socrates,  and  grand  in  battle  as 
Achilles." 

Let  the  soldiers  of  Grant  and  Sherman  wear  the  victor's 
crown  and  long  enjoy  the  rich  reward  of  their  toil  and 
danger.  Envy  them  not,  Confederate  soldiers,  so  great  a 
prize.  On  his  death-bed  General  Jackson  said :  "  The  men 
who  live  through  this  war  will  be  proud  to  say  to  their  chil 
dren,  I  was  one  of  the  Stonewall  Brigade,"  but  prouder;  yes, 
prouder  still,  to  say  they  fought  under  the  furled  banners  of 
those  peerless  Christian  soldiers  Jackson,  Stuart,  and  Robert 
E.  Lee.  This  is  glory  and  honor  enough  for  the  Confederate 
soldier. 

After  the  little  scrimmage  down  in  Fairfax  we  returned 
with  Companies  D  and  H  to  Mosby's  Confederacy,  reaching 
there  on  the  nth,  and  on  the  next  day  reporting  to  the 
Colonel  the  failure  of  our  expedition;  we  found  him  so 
deeply  interested  and  absorbed  in  the  news  of  Lee's  sur 
render,  received  through  a  letter  from  General  Hancock,  that 
our  mishap  made  little  impression  upon  him.  The  letter  was 
as  follows : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  n,  1865. 

Colonel  JOHN  MOSBY, 

Commanding  Partisans : 

Colonel, — I  am  directed  by  Major-General  Hancock  to 
inclose  to  you  copies  of  letters  which  passed  between  Gen 
erals  Grant  and  Lee  on  the  occasion  of  the  surrender  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  Major-General  Hancock  is 
authorized  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  forces  under  your 
command  on  the  same  conditions  offered  to  General  Lee,  and 
will  send  an  officer  of  equal  rank  with  yourself  to  meet  you 
at  any  point  and  time  you  may  designate  convenient  to  the 

22 


338  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

lines  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  details,  should  you  con 
clude  to  be  governed  by  the  example  of  General  Lee. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  H.  MORGAN, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

After  the  reception  of  this  communication,  Colonel  Mosby 
took  time  to  consider  and  consult,  and  on  the  I5th  replied: 

APRIL  15,   1865. 
Major-General  W.  S.  HANCOCK, 

Commanding,  &c. : 

General, — I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  your  Chief  of 
Staff,  Brigadier-General  Morgan,  inclosing  copies  of  corre 
spondence  between  Generals  Grant  and  Lee,  and  informing 
me  that  you  would  appoint  an  officer  of  equal  rank  as  myself 
to  arrange  details  for  the  surrender  of  the  forces  under  my 
•command.  As  yet  I  have  no  notice  through  any  other  source 
of  the  facts  concerning  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  nor,  in  my  opinion,  has  the  emergency 
yet  arisen  which  would  justify  the  surrender  of  my  command. 
With  no  disposition,  however,  to  cause  the  useless  effusion  of 
blood,  or  to  inflict  on  a  war-worn  population  any  unneces 
sary  distress,  I  am  ready  to  agree  to  a  suspension  of  hostilities 
for  a  short  time  in  order  to  enable  me  to  communicate  with 
my  own  authorities,  or  until  I  can  obtain  sufficient  intelli 
gence  to  determine  my  future  action.  Should  you  accede  to 
this  proposition,  I  am  ready  to  meet  any  person  you  may 
designate  to  arrange  the  terms  of  an  armistice. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  S.  MOSBY, 
Colonel  C.  S.  Army. 

A  very  proper  answer,  and  one  that  shows  Colonel  Mosby's 
level-headedness  in  great  peril.  There  was  no  occasion  to 
rush  headlong  into  surrender  when  no  force  was  impelling 
such  a  step,  and  in  ignorance  of  any  definite  information  from 
Confederate  authorities  as  to  the  present  situation  of  the 
war.  A  surrender  at  this  time  would  appear  cowardly  to  the 
soldiers  of  his  command  and  serve  to  bring  him  in  contempt 
with  his  enemies. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  jjp 

General  Hancock  agreed  on  the  suspension  of  hostilities 
and  arranged  for  General  Chapman  to  meet  Colonel  Mosby 
at  Millwood,  on  the  i8th  instant,  at  12  M.,  with  instructions 
to  arrange  the  surrender  of  his  command  or  receive  his  defi 
nite  declination.  It  will  be  seen  by  referring  to  the  closing 
sentence  of  Colonel  Mosby's  letter  that  the  meeting  was  for 
the  purpose  of  arranging  the  terms  of  an  armistice. 

On  the  1 8th,  Colonel  Mosby,  writh  an  escort,  including 
myself,  repaired  to  Millwood,  where  General  Chapman  and 
his  escort  were  met  and  matters  discussed,  Colonel  Mosby 
declining  to  discuss  the  question  of  surrender,  as  the  object 
of  the  meeting,  as  shown  in  his  letter  of  the  I5th,  was  to 
arrange  an  armistice,  while  General  Chapman  contended 
that  under  his  instructions  he  could  only  treat  as  to  surrender. 
Colonel  Mosby,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  communica 
tion,  carried  his  point : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

Near  Berry ville,  Va.,  April  18,  1865. 

Brevet  Brigadier-General  MORGAN, 

Chief  of  Staff,  Winchester,  Va. : 

General, — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  agreeable  to 
instructions,  I  met  Colonel  John  S.  Mosby,  Confederate 
States  army,  commanding  Forty-third  Virginia  Battalion, 
to-day  at  Millwood,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  confer  with  him 
touching  the  surrender  of  his  command  and  to  conclude  the 
details,  should  he  have  decided  to  surrender  under  the  terms 
offered  him.  He  declined  to  surrender  at  this  time,  for  the 
reason  that  his  command  was  not  in  immediate  danger,  and 
that  he  had  not  such  information  as  yet  as  would  justify  him 
in  concluding  the  t  Confederate  Cause  '  altogether  hopeless. 
He  expressed  himself  as  anxious  to  avoid  any  useless  effusion 
of  blood  or  destruction  of  property,  and  desirous,  therefore, 
of  a  suspension  of  hostilities  for  a  short  time  until  he  could 
learn  the  fate  of '  Johnston's  army.'  Should  that  be  defeated, 
or  surrendered,  he  said  he  should  regard  the  '  Confederate 
Cause  '  as  lost,  and  would  disband  his  organization.  He 
does  not  propose  even  in  that  event  to  surrender  them  as  an 
organization  for  parole,  but  to  disband  the  battalion,  giving 


340  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

to  each  individual  to  choose  his  own  course.  He  informed 
me  he  had  already  advised  his  command  that  those  who  chose 
to  do  so  could  come  and  give  their  parole*  For  himself  he 
said  he  had  no  favors  to  ask,  being  quite  willing  to  stand  by 
his  acts,  all  of  which  he  believed  to  be  justifiable,  and  in  the 
course  of  my  conversation  with  him,  he  remarked  that  he 
did  not  expect  to  remain  in  the  country.  I  made  an  agree 
ment  with  him  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities  for  forty-eight 
hours  longer,  expiring  at  noon  on  the  2oth,  and  a  conditional 
agreement  for  a  further  suspension  for  ten  days.  These 
agreements  are  herewith  inclosed,  and  I  will  infcrm  Colonel 
Mosby  of  the  action  of  the  General  commanding  so  soon  as 
advised.  I  did  not  give  him  to  hope  that  this  agreement  for 
a  ten-days'  suspension  would  be  concurred  in.  I  regret  that 
I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  communicating  the  surrender  of 
this  force,  but  trust  my  actions  in  the  premises  will  meet 
approval.  The  interview  throughout  was  characterized  by 
good  feeling.  Perhaps  I  ought,  in  justice  to  Colonel  Mosby 
and  his  officers,  to  state  an  universal  regret  was  expressed 
because  of  the  assassination  of  the  President. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  H.  CHAPMAN,  Brigadier-General. 

This  arrangement  was  communicated  by  General  Hancock 
to  General  Halleck  for  instructions,  and  the  following  from 
General  Grant  returned : 

WASHINGTON,  April  19,  1865. 
Major-General  HANCOCK,  Winchester: 

If  Mosby  does  not  avail  himself  of  the  present  truce,  end  it 
and  hunt  him  and  his  men  down.  Guerrillas,  after  beating 
the  armies  of  the  enemy,  will  not  be  entitled  to  quarter. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant-General. 

In  accordance  with  this  instruction  from  Grant,  the  truce 
was  ended  at  noon  on  the  2Oth,  and  on  the  following  day  the 
command  met  by  orders  at  Salem  (now  Marshall).  There 
was  a  full  attendance,  eight  companies,  numbering  about  600 
men.  It  was  a  splendid  body  of  cavalry — young,  active,  well 
dressed,  with  gay  trappings  and  fine  horses,  each  man  armed 
with  two  pistols  and  many  with  four.  The  men  being  drawn 
up  in  line,  the  following  address  was  read  to  them : 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

FAUQUIER,  April  21,  1865. 

Soldiers, — I  have  summoned  you  together  for  the  last  time. 
The  vision  that  we  have  cherished  of  a  free  and  independent 
country  has  vanished,  and  that  country  is  now  the  spoil 
of  the  conqueror.  I  disband  your  organization  in  prefer 
ence  to  surrendering  it  to  our  enemies.  I  am  no  longer 
your  commander.  After  an  association  of  more  than  two 
eventful  years,  I  part  from  you  with  a  just  pride  in  the  fame 
of  your  achievements  and  grateful  recollections  of  your 
generous  kindness  to  myself.  And  now  at  this  moment,  in 
bidding  you  a  final  adieu,  accept  the  assurance  of  my  un 
changing  confidence  and  regards.  Farewell. 

J.  S.  MOSBY,  Colonel. 

There  were  few  dry  eyes  among  the  men  as  they  pressed 
around  their  chieftain  and  bade  him  adieu,  and  the  parting 
was  dramatic  in  the  extreme.  Colonel  Mosby,  with  some  50 
followers  (myself  included),  started  South  to  join  Johnston, 
but  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapman,  with  the  greater  part  of 
the  men  surrendered  to  Hancock,  and  Chapman's  great  haste 
in  this  matter  has  caused  a  reflection  on  his  name  which  I  do 
not  believe  he  deserves.  It  is  contained  in  the  following : 

Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War : 

Nearly  all  of  Mosby's  command  has  surrendered,  including 
nearly  or  quite  all  of  the  officers  except  Mosby  himself,  who 
has  probably  fled.  His  next  in  rank,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Chapman,  surrendered  with  the  command.  He  is  as  impor 
tant  as  Mosby,  and  from  conversation  had  with  him  I  think  he 
will  be  valuable  to  the  government  hereafter.  Some  of  Mosby's 
own  men  are  in  pursuit  of  him  for  a  reward  of'  $2,000,  offered 
by  me.  As  near  as  I  can  tell,  about  380  of  Mosby's  men  are 
paroled.  WINFIELD  S.  HANCOCK, 

Major-General. 

I  do  not  believe  there  was  a  man  in  Mosby's  command, 
possessed  of  courage  sufficient  for  such  an  enterprise,  who 
would  have  been  guilty  of  such  an  infamous  and  damnable 
deed.  Mosby's  guard,  too,  were  true  and  tried  men,  and 
would  have  shielded  him  to  the  last  extremity. 


342  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

On  the  28th,  Hancock's  adjutant  wires  General  Torbert: 
'  The  General  wishes  you  to  hunt  up  Mosby.  If  more  money 
is  needed  it  can  be  had,"  and  on  May  3d  again  wires  him  to 
offer  $5,000  reward  for  him. 

Finding  that  these  threats  and  rewards  were  unavailing, 
that  Northern  gold  could  neither  tempt  Southern  honor  nor 
soil  Southern  valor,  a  more  pacific  policy  was  tried.  Brave 
men  are  more  easily  won  by  kindness  than  by  force,  and 
Mosby  and  his  men  were  offered  the  same  terms  as  General 
Lee's  army,  arid  as  General  Johnston  had  now  surrendered, 
recognizing  the  futility  of  further  resistance,  we  gladly 
availed  ourselves  of  the  offer.  On  the  8th  of  May,  in  com 
pany  with  my  friends,  Dr.  and  Captain  Opie  (the  latter  of 
whom,  just  before  entering  Winchester,  had  offered  to  fight 
the  whole  of  Duvall's  Brigade,  one  at  a  time),  Majors  Locke 
and  Harrison,  rode  into  Winchester  and  signed  the  following 
parole : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  SHENANDOAH, 

Winchester,  May  8,  1865. 

I,  George  Baylor,  captain  Company  H,  Mosby's  Battalion, 
C.  S.  Army,  do  hereby  give  this  my  parole  of  honor  that  I 
will  not  take  up  arms  against  the  United  States  Government 
until  I  am  regularly  exchanged,  and  that  if  I  am  permitted  to 
remain  at  my  home,  I  will  conduct  myself  as  a  good  and 
peaceable  citizen,  and  will  respect  the  laws  in  force  where  I 
reside,  and  do  nothing  in  detriment  of  or  in  opposition  to  the 
United  States  Government.  GEORGE  BAYLOR. 

Since  then  no  cartel  of  exchange  has  been  agreed  on,  and  I 
have  not  been  regularly  exchanged,  and  shall  not  take  up 
arms  again  if  I  am.  I  am  tired  of  that  business,  and  there 
need  be  no  fear  or  apprehension  on  my  account.  If  any 
portion  of  that  parole  was  ever  violated,  it  is  the  clause  which 
says :  "  I  will  respect  the  laws  in  force  where  I  reside."  As 
is  well  known,  the  laws  in  force  here  were  so  abominable  that 
one  could  scarcely  obey,  much  less  respect  them.  It  must 
have  been  a  trying  ordeal  for  the  victors  to  lay  down  their 


Jno.  U.  Terrell. 


344  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

arms  and  return  to  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  for  the 
transition  is  not  easy,  but  to  the  vanquished  it  was  nigh  unto 
death.  The  great  conflict  ended,  the  warfate  over,  my  occu 
pation  was  gone,  and  I  sank  into  rustic  simplicity  and  civic 
obscurity,  and  soon  became,  like  Ichabod  Grover,  the 
Lethean  shade  of  "  innocuous  desuetude." 

I  cannot  conclude  this  narrative  of  the  closing  scenes  of 
that  eventful  war  without  paying  a  tribute  to  that  great  and 
silent  friend,  which  ever  stood  with  open  gates  ready  to 
receive  and  protect  us.  The  careful  reader  has  noticed  that 
on  nearly  every  occasion  when  danger  threatened  our  little 
band,  we  would  "  flee  to  the  mountain  "  —the  Blue  Ridge 
mountain.  Without  its  aid  and  protection,  our  career  in  this 
section  would  have  been  short.  "  Montani  semper  liberi." 
In  that  mountain  we  breathed  the  air  of  freedom.  No  foe 
ever  dared  to  pursue  us  beyond  its  threshold.  That  beautiful 
blue  mountain !  How  often  have  we  longingly  looked  to  it 
as  our  city  of  refuge,  our  citadel  and  our  fortress !  There  it 
stood  like  a  fond  mother,  with  outstretched  arms  ready  to 
welcome  us  to  her  breast.  It  was  to  us  more  than  the  great 
sea  was  to  the  army  of  Xerxes.  Our  eyes  rested  upon  it  as  a 
hope,  a  trust,  and  an  inspiration.  With  affection  and  rever 
ence  I  shall  ever  behold  it  during  life,  and  when  I  am  called 
to  go,  lay  me  to  sleep  in  the  old  churchyard,  under  its  morn 
ing  shadow,  where  the  first  ray  of  the  rising  sun  passing 
above  its  head  and  over  the  mists  that  spread  around  its 
breast  shall  cast  its  halo  of  light  on  the  little  rounded  hillock 
that  marks  my  resting-place. 


CONCLUSION. 

When  the  witness  is  called  to  the  box,  his  entrance  is 
usually  solemnized  with  the  oath,  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  Having  undertaken  to  recall 
and  record  the  actions  and  doings  of  the  Baylor  Light  Horse, 
I  feel  that  I  would  be  guilty  of  dereliction  of  duty  if  I  failed 
to  chronicle  the  part  played  by  our  colored  comrades. 

When  Company  B  was  first  organized,  the  company 
wagon,  a  pair  of  mules,  and  a  trusted  colored  driver  was  fur 
nished  by  the  captain.  Among  the  young  colored  people  at 
my  home  were  three  boys — Carter  Robinson,  Phil  Williams, 
and  Tom  Langford — near  the  ages  of  my  brother  Richard 
and  myself,  playmates  in  our  boyhood,  whose  presence  with 
us  was  deemed  essential  to  our  comfort  and  welfare.  These 
boys  were  eager  to  accompany  us,  and  their  wish  was  duly 
gratified.  Uncle  John  Sorrell,  an  aged  man,  was  the  wagon- 
driver;  Carter,  our  mess-cook;  Phil  and  Tom  our  hostlers. 
With  such  a  retinue,  we  felt  thoroughly  equipped  for  the 
war.  It  may  surprise  our  opponents,  but  the  Confederate 
officer  had  no  orderly  or  the  like,  but  officers  and  men 
ranked  as  social  equals. 

The  Timberlakes  also  brought  with  them  into  camp  as  part 
and  parcel  of  their  contingent  a  colored  boy  by  the  name  of 
Overton,  who  cooked  for  them  and  looked  after  their  wants 
and  necessities.  This  quartette  formed  a  social  group  of  their 
own,  and  seemed  happy  and  contented.  They  shared  with  us 
our  hardships  and  at  times  even  our  dangers,  entered  into 
our  sports  and  jests,  and  never  were  more  joyous  than  when 
taking  part  with  us  in  our  horse  races. 

Uncle  John  had  rendered  himself  very  obnoxious  to  the 
Yankees  by  taking  an  active  part  in  tolling  them  over  the 
Potomac  river  at  Harper's  Ferry  and  into  a  trap  laid  for  them 

[345] 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

by  a  posse  of  our  men,  and  ever  after  stood  in  great  awe  and 
dread  of  capture  by  them. 

In  1862,  when  General  Ashby  and  his  men  were  camped 
just  south  of  Newtown,  on  the  Valley  turnpike,  we  were  sur 
prised  one  morning  by  a  part  of  Banks's  cavalry  driving  our 
picket  rapidly  into  camp.  There  was  much  consternation 
and  confusion.  "  Boots  and  Saddles  "  was  speedly  sounded, 
and  each  hurriedly  prepared  for  the  expected  onset.  Before 
our  men  had  bridled  and  saddled,  Uncle  John  was  discovered 
driving  out  his  team  on  the  turnpike  and  heading  towards 
Winchester.  A  portion  of  our  men  on  barebacks,  with  no 
headgear  on  their  horses  but  the  halter,  were  ignominiously 
retreating  to  the  rear.  The  Captain,  discovering  Uncle  John 
heading  towards  the  foe,  hastily  ^overtook  him,  and  in  lan 
guage  not  over  polite  and  refined,  inquired  why  he  was  going 
in  that  direction.  Uncle  John  quickly  replied,  "  I  seed  them 
soldiers,  sah,  charging  up  dat  way,  and  spose,  sah,  de  Yan 
kees  must  be  coming  down  thar."  Being  apprised  of  the  true 
situation,  he  quickly  wheeled  about  his  mules  and  was  soon 
at  a  safe  distance  from  the  enemy. 

At  the  battle  of  Brandy  Station,  Tom  and  Overton,  who 
had  on  the  Banks  retreat  well  supplied  themselves  with  arms, 
joined  in  the  company  charges  and  succeeded  in  capturing 
a  Yankee  darkey,  who  had  ventured  too  far  in  front  of  the 
Yankee  column,  and  brought  him  safely  into  camp.  They 
were  highly  delighted  ,with  their  trophy  and  retained  him  a 
prisoner  for  several  months,  compelling  him  to  rub  down 
their  horses,  bring  water  and  wood,  and  do  other  chores 
about  camp.  At  night  he  was  required  to  sleep  with  them, 
and  threatened  with  instant  death  if  he  attempted  escape. 
Sorrow  was  felt  for  the  unfortunate  prisoner,  but  his  captors 
so  much  enjoyed  his  discomfiture,  we  would  not  interfere 
with  their  pleasure.  After  several  months'  captivity,  how 
ever,  one  night  the  poor  wretch  made  a  rush  for  liberty  and 
safely  escaped. 

Tom  and  Overton,  not  only  good  soldiers,  but  excellent 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run.  347 

foragers,  also  scoured  the  country  adjacent  to  camp  and 
supplied  their  respective  messes  with  the  best  the  neighbor 
hood  could  afford.  The  mode  and  manner  of  their  acquisi 
tions  was  not  always  strictly  ethical,  but  as  few  inquiries  were 
made  of  them,  their  consciences  were  as  well  satisfied  as  our 
stomachs. 

I  remember  on  one  occasion  being  invited  by  several  of 
the  Timberlakes  to  accompany  them  a  short  distance  from 
camp  to  the  home  of  one  of  their  lady  acquaintances;  and 
I'll  here  rernark  by  way  of  parenthesis  that  Company  B  never 
camped  anywhere  in  Virginia  where  the  Timberlakes  failed 
to  have  a  cousin  or  dear  friend  close  by.  It  is  needless  to 
mention  that  the  invitation  was  accepted  and  I  accompanied 
them.  Provender  in  abundance  was  found  for  our  horses;  we 
supped  at  full  board,  and  retired  that  night  on  downy  couches 
and  dreamed  of  Elysian  fields.  In  the  morning  we  rose 
refreshed,  dressed  and  whetted  our  appetites  for  buckwheat 
cakes  and  butter,  of  which  we  had  been  partially  advised. 
But  how  great  was  our  chagrin  and  disappointment,  when 
seated  at  table,  our  lady  hostess  informed  us  she  was  sorry 
she  had  no  butter  for  our  breakfast,  as  some  one  had  robbed 
her  spring-house  during  the  past  night  and  stolen  all  she 
had,  adding  very  significantly  that  she  did  not  mean  to  accuse 
us,  but  it  was  very  strange  it  had  never  happened  before. 

Great  was  our  indignation,  and  vengeance  was  determined 
on  for  the  offender  should  we  be  able  to  ferret  him  out.  The 
meal  was  eaten  without  relish,  and  we  speedily  repaired  to 
the  barn,  when  each  man  was  put  on  oath  and  the  guilty 
party  not  found.  We  returned  to  camp  wounded  and  deeply 
mortified,  and  the  matter  was  frequently  the  subject  of  conver 
sation  on  the  march  and  around  the  camp-fire,  but  the  mystery 
remained  unsolved  until  some  six  months  after,  when  Over- 
ton  revealed  the  secret,  that  he  had  followed  us  to  our  snug 
quarters  that  night,  and  while  we  were  sleeping  had  robbed 
the  spring-house.  Even  at  that  late  day  our  anger  was  not 
appeased,  and  Overtoil  was  severely  upbraided,  not  for  viola- 


34$  Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run. 

tion  of  the  biblical  law  so  much  as  for  not  using  more  circum 
spection  and  discrimination  than  to  violate  the  laws  of  hos 
pitality. 

All  of  our  colored  contingent  survived  the  war  and  returned 
after  the  surrender  to  their  old  homes.  In  the  late  fall  of 
1864,  while  the  company  was  scouting  and  raiding  in  the 
lower  Valley,  Phil  was  sent  with  the  company  wagon  and 
extra  horses  to  a  quiet  retreat,  east  of  Harrisonburg,  near 
the  Massanuttan  Mountain,  where  he  remained  oblivous  of 
our  defeat,  the  cessation  of  hostilities  and  how  it  affected  his 
fortunes,  until  some  time  in  May,  1865,  when  I  appeared  at 
his  quiet  resting-place  and  informed  him  he  was  now  free, 
and  at  liberty  to  go  where  he  pleased.  In  great  solicitude 
he  inquired  if  he  could  not  live  at  his  old  home,  and  when 
assured  he  could,  if  he  wished,  a  great  burden  seemed  lifted 
from  his  heart,  and  he  moved  on  cheerfully.  Shortly  after  we 
were  under  way,  homeward  bound,  he  imparted  the  informa 
tion  that  an  old  colored  woman  had  told  his  fortune  several 
days  before,  and  that  she  had  seen  him  struggling  in  the 
waters.  I  ridiculed  the  old  woman's  dream,  but  when  Mil- 
ford,  in  the  Luray  Valley,  was  reached,  and  my  horse  swam 
over  a  swollen  branch  of  the  Shenandoah  river,  Phil,  in  at 
tempting  to  follow  with  wagon  and  mules,  had  been  left  in 
the  middle  of  the  current  with  the  body  and  hind  axle  of  the 
wagon,  the  mules  and  front  gear  having  made  the  opposite 
shore  in  safety,  I  realized  the  old  woman's  tale  had  at  least 
a  sprinkling  of  truth  and  warning  in  it.  Detaching  the  lines, 
however,  from  the  mules,  and  succeeding  in  casting  one  end 
to  Phil,  I  drew  him  and  the  floating  wagon  safely  to  shore. 
On  the  remainder  of  the  journey,  however,  I  could  not  induce 
him  to  cross  a  swollen  stream. 

Uncle  John  remained  at  the  old  home  and  was  kindly  cared 
for  by  the  family  until  April  6,  1884,  when  death  claimed  him 
for  his  own,  he  having  survived  my  father  about  one  year. 

Phil,  after  a  long  sickness,  died  on  October  i,  1899,  and 
is  buried  near  by  the  spot  that  witnessed  his  boyhood  sports. 


Milton  Rouss. 


Bull  Run  to  Bull  Run,  349 

Overton  returned  home  with  the  Timberlakes  and  met 
death  by  an  accident,  while  Tom  married  and  moved  West. 
Carter,  however,  still  lives  in  the  vicinity.  After  the  war 
he  married  at  his  home,  but  his  wife  died  many  years  ago, 
and  he  has  since  lived  a  widower.  About  two  years  ago  he 
came  to  my  office  and  informed  me  he  was  going  to  be  mar 
ried  again,  and  wished  me  to  accompany  him  to  the  clerk's 
office  to  get  a  license.  I  called  with  him,  and  while  the  clerk 
was  preparing  the  license  I  returned  to  my  office.  Some  ten 
days  after  he  again  called,  and  as  I  was  about  extending  con 
gratulations,  he  informed  me  that  the  license  ivas  no  good, 
and  the  minister  refused  to  tie  the  knot,  and  now  the  girl  had 
gone  back  on  him.  I  examined  the  license,  and  found  the 
clerk  had  neglected  to  affix  his  signature  or  seal.  He  wished 
to  know  if  he  could  not  recover  damages  of  the  clerk.  I  dis 
suaded  him  from  such  a  course,  thinking  there  was  about  as 
much  benefit  as  damage  accruing  from  the  clerk's  omission, 
and  the  matter  was  finally  adjusted  by  the  clerk  returning 
the  fee.  Having  concluded  his  settlement,  he  went  on  his 
way,  rejoicing  more  in  the  recovery  of  his  fee  than  sorrowing 
at  the  loss  of  a  wife. 

Slavery  had  its  evil  and  its  good.  The  master  and  the 
slave  often  "  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives  and  in 
their  death  they  were  not  divided."  The  Emancipation 
Proclamation  has  been  sounded.  The  Carpet-Bagger,  Scala 
wag,  and  Northern  Missionary  have  come,  have  done  their 
worst,  and  departed.  Above  the  wreck,  ruin,  and  desolation 
produced,  the  unity  and  good  feeling  of  the  old  slave  habi 
tation  remains  unbroken,  a  sacred  relic  of  those  times  the 
Northern  fanatic  is  wont  to  term  a  barbarous  age. 

While  slavery  in  the  abstract  is  repugnant  to  every  concep 
tion  of  liberty  and  equality,  and  its  restoration  would  meet 
the  earnest  opposition  of  its  former  advocates,  I  nevertheless 
feel  there  are  bright  spots  in  its  past  upon  which  the  memory 
will  ever  love  to  linger  with  pride,  pleasure,  and  affection. 


Leaves 


...From... 


My  Scrap-Book 


Be  true  if  you  would  be  beloved.  Let  a  man  but  speak  forth 
with  genuine  earnestness  the  thought,  the  emotion,  the  actual 
condition  of  his  own  heart,  and  other  men,  so  strangely  are  we 
knit  together  by  the  tie  of  sympathy,  must  and  will  give  heed 
to  him. — Car /vie. 


DEDICATION. 


I   HAVE    COLLECTED    THE    FOLLOWING   CRUMBS   AND    FRAGMENTS, 

NOT   BECAUSE   OF   ANY   MERIT   THEY   MAY   HAVE, 
BUT   RATHER   BECAUSE   THEY   ARE,    AS   IT   WERE,    FOOT-PRINTS 

ALONG  THE   WAY  OF   LIFE, 
INDICATING  THE   CHARACTER   OF   A   TRAVELLER   ON   THAT   HIGHWAY, 

AND   AS   SUCH    DEDICATE   THEM   WITH 

LOVE   AND   AFFECTION   TO   MY   DAUGHTER 

LOUISE. 


CONTENTS. 


^VALEDICTORY  ADDRESS  AT  WASHINGTON  AND  LEE. 

PRESENTATION  OF  CANE. 

EULOGY  ON  ROBERT  E.  LEE. 

COMMONWEALTH  OF  VIRGINIA  vs.  HITT. 

STATE  vs.  BRAGG. 

YOUNG  LOVE'S  DREAM. 

To  MY  "LAST  RESORT." 

LINES  SUGGESTED  BY  DECORATION  DAY. 

To  Miss  MARY. 
UNCLE  SAM  TO  EVANGELINE. 


VALEDICTORY  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  BEFORE 
THE  LAW  CLASS  OF  1866-67  AT  WASHINGTON 
AND  LEE  UNIVERSITY. 

Fellow  Students :  We  have  met  to-day  for  the  last  time  as 
a  class.  I  feel  that  it  is  an  occasion  of  no  small  importance. 
We  are  about  to  sever  the  bonds  which  so  closely  united  us, 
and  each  go  forth  to  his  respective  sphere  of  action  to  battle 
with  the  tide  of  life.  Let  us  not  forget  that  though  our  duties 
here  are  finished,  there  is  still  work  for  us  to  do,  still  battles 
to  be  fought,  still  victories  to  be  won.  When  the  doors  of 
the  temple  of  Janus  were  thrown  open,  when  the  red  beacons 
were  beaming  from  our  hills,  and  cruel  and  unrelenting  war 
ravaged  and  desolated  our  fair  land,  you  would  have  esteemed 
him  a  poor  soldier  who  did  not  keep  his  armor  bright  and 
ready  for  action;  but  in  these  times  of  comparative  peace, 
when  the  beat  of  the  drum  and  the  bugle-blast  is  heard  no 
longer  through  our  valleys  or  over  our  hills,  too  many  of  us 
are  prone  to  lay  back  on  our  oars  and  forget  that,  as  peace 
hath  her  victories  no  less  than  war,  she  must  have  her  battles 
also.  Let  us  not,  then,  be  caught  with  a  rusty  sword  in  this 
new  contest.  The  goal  of  our  destiny  is  not  yet  reached; 
the  race  is  but  begun.  We  have  now  new  duties  and  new 
responsibilities  resting  upon  us,  which  will  require  all  our 
time  and  attention,  all  our  zeal  and  energy.  Observation  and 
experience  have  taught  us  that  a  bold  front  is  half  the  battle. 
Let  us  not,  then,  despond  or  grow  faint-hearted  because  the 
future  seems  dark  and  foreboding.  Often  the  storm  that 
bends  the  fragile  plant  afterwards  waters  its  roots  and  stimu 
lates  its  growth  and  prosperity.  Behind  the  impending  cloud 
let  us  paint  our  bow  of  hope.  Let  ambition  stir  the  latent 
spark  of  manhood  in  our  hearts  and  arouse  the  dormant 
energies  of  our  souls.  Let  that  spirit  which  characterized 

[357] 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book. 

us  as  soldiers  in  the  conflict  through  which  we  have  just 
passed,  still  animate  our  bosoms,  and  the  great  barriers  which 
now  seem  impassable  will  soon  be  overcome,  and  those 
obstacles  which  now  seem  so  formidable  soon  be  surmounted, 
and  instead  of  difficulties  increasing  in  our  farther  progress, 
we  will  find  our  march  unobstructed  and  springing  up  along 
the  way  flowers  of  joy  and  comfort,  whose  beauty  and 
fragrance  will  soften  the  hardships  and  asperities  of  life,  and 
place  upon  the  brow  of  duty  the  coronet  of  pleasure.  We 
must  not  expect  to  become  great  in  a  day.  Nulla  palma  sine 
pulvere.  Honor  and  distinction  would  be  poorly  appreciated, 
if  so  soon  or  so  easily  acquired.  True  greatness  and  eminence 
in  our  profession  will  require  a  master  effort.  Pelion  must 
be  piled  upon  Ossa  and  Ossa  upon  Oeta^  and  the  strength 
of  a  giant  exerted  before  we  dare  attack  the  strongholds  of 
Olympus  and  contend  with  the  gods  of  our  profession. 
Boasted  superiority  of  mind  and  talent  will  avail  nothing,  if 
we  have  not  energy  and  industry.  History  chronicles  no 
great  achievements  of  indolence  and  ease;  for  honor  and 
renown  are  the  fruits  of  study  and  perseverance.  Those  great 
discoveries  which  have  mapped  out  worlds  and  unveiled  the 
hidden  riches  of  the  earth;  those  great  inventions  which 
startle  the  eye  of  the  beholder  and  make  him  pause  in  wonder 
and  astonishment;  those  beautiful  fabrics  of  legal  jurispru 
dence  which  seem  as  if  reared  by  some  divine  architect  and 
moulded  in  the  lap  of  eternal  justice,  are  the  results  of  pro 
found  research  and  deep  application.  They  are  the  gathered 
flowers  which  gem  the  vase  which  all  appreciate  and  admire, 
but  if  we  would  find  the  great  moving  cause  which  produced 
these  sublime  results,  we  must  go  to  the  garden  from  which 
they  were  culled  and  pry  beneath  the  soil  wherein  they  grew, 
to  find  the  root  that  gave  them  life  and  nourishment.  This 
root  is  labor  and  study.  The  past  warns  us  from  "  listening 
with  too  much  credulity  to  the  whispers  of  fancy  and  of  pur 
suing  with  too  much  eagerness  the  phantoms  of  hope  ";  it 
warns  us  at  once  to  nerve  our  hearts  for  the  great  battle  and 


Bushrod  C.  Washington. 


360  Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

bravely  face  the  stern  dangers  which  must  be  encountered — 
for  trials,  labors,  and  hardships  are  the  essential  ingredients 
of  the  cup  of  success;  they  must  be  endtfred,  and  he  who 
wishes  to  rise  triumphant  over  them  all  and  pluck  the  wreath 
of  glory  must  not  shirk  their  responsibility  or  escape  their 
burden.  Nor  must  we  let  our  political  horizon,  which  seems 
so  fearful  and  inauspicious,  deter  us  from  the  path  of  duty 
or  rob  us  of  the  fruits  of  peace.  Let  us  forget  the  past  except 
ing  its  glories,  its  noble  heroes  and  the  noble  lessons  they 
have  taught  us.  Let  us  cull  from  its  garden  the  roses  worthy 
of  memory  and  consign  the  rest  to  the  charnel-house  of  the 
dead.  Let  us  cultivate  amity  and  good  feeling.  Let  our 
hatchet  with  our  sectional  animosities  and  our  hatred  be 
buried  in  the  tomb  of  the  Capulets,  the  graves  of  the  "  loved 
and  lost."  Let  us  place  the  white  rose  with  the  red  in  the 
vase  of  Auld  Lang  Syne,  and  let  us  go  to  work  in  earnest  to 
recuperate  our  fallen  fortunes  and  scatter  smiles  of  plenty 
over  our  desolate  land;  for  I  feel  that  though  marred,  muti 
lated,  and  torn,  we  still  have  a  glorious  land.  Though  the 
foot  of  a  military  satrap  tramples  still  upon  her  sacred  soil, 
and  his  hand  desecrates  the  altar  where  liberty  sung  her 
syren  strains,  yet  this  is  still  our  land.  Her  sons  have  fought 
but  not  lost;  "  tho'  conquered,  victors  still;  tho'  not  trium 
phant,  right."  Yes,  this  is  still  our  home  and  our  country. 
It  has  become  sacred  to  us  as  our  burying  ground,  the  urn 
that  contains  the  hallowed  dust  of  our  heroes,  warriors,  and 
statesmen.  It  is  doubly  dear  to  us  now.  It  was  bequeathed 
as  a  priceless  heritage  by  our  ancestors,  it  is  now  the  mauso 
leum  of  our  gallant  dead.  Yes— 

"This  is  the  Southron's  Father  land; 
Great  God,  look  down  and  bless  this  land, 
And  give  her  noble  children  souls 
To  cherish  while  existence  rolls 
And  love  with  heart  and  aid  with  hand, 
Our  universal   Southron  land." 

But  there  is  no  cause  for  discouragement.     There  is  still 
hope  ahead.     The  goal  is  within  our  reach,  the  victors'  prize 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book, 

within  our  grasp.  Then,  let  us  then  be  up  and  doing.  Let 
us  not  by  inactivity  lose  our  golden  opportunity.  Should 
we  need  examples  to  encourage  us,  we  have  only  to  look  to 
the  fresh  graves  that  dot  our  land;  we  have  only  to  look  to 
the  heroes  whose  sun  of  life  has  set,  but  left  upon  the  moun 
tain  top  a  light  of  glory.  Let  us  strive  to  imitate  them,  and 
we  will  cheer  the  starless  future  and  protect  ourselves  from 
the  demoralizing  influence  of  apathy  and  indifference.  Let 
us  often  revert  to  these  men  and  their  deeds,  for  we  feel  that 
from  them 

"  There  springs  a  rooted  and   mysterious  strength, 
A  loftiness  to  face  a  world  in  arms, 
To  strip  the  pomp  from  scepters  and  lay 
On  duty's  sacred  altar  life's  warm  blood." 

There  are  three  graces  which  preside  over  the  destinies  of 
the  human  race.  Let  us  seek  from  them  the  germs  of  pros 
perity  and  happiness.  The  first  is  the  peerless  queen  of 
creation.  Around  her,  dignity  flows  as  a  majestic  robe,  and 
experience  like  a  veil  heightens  her  youthful  charms.  In 
her  right  hand  she  holds  truth  and  justice;  in  her  left,  know 
ledge  and  power.  Her  penetrating  eye  scans  the  mighty 
labyrinths  of  time  and  scales  the  walls  of  eternity.  Her  voice 
is  the  voice  of  a  god.  She  is  the  Mind.  At  her  side  sits  her 
sister.  The  rosy  hue  of  her  cheek  denotes  the  fiery  ardor  of 
her  temperament,  yet  conscience  like  a  guardian-angel  ever 
hovers  near  to  restrain  the  burning  lust  of  passion.  She  is 
the  great  moral  power  of  the  world.  She  has  a  smile,  for  us 
in  prosperity  and  a  tear  for  us  in  adversity.  Friendship  and 
love  are  the  active  qualities  of  her  being.  She  is  the  Heart. 
In  communion  with  these  is  the  likeness  of  a  third.  There  is 
divinity  in  her  shape.  She  is  the  glorious  scintilla  of  the 
Almighty's  presence  within  us;  the  ligament,  the  connect 
ing  cord  between  mortality  and  immortality;  between  time 
and  eternity,  between  God  and  man.  She  is  the  Soul.  At 
the  shrine  of  these  three,  we  must  all  bow.  These  are  the 
ennobling  faculties  that  raise  man  above  the  brute  creation, 


3&2  Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book. 

and  make  him  but  little  lower  than  the  angels.  Upon  these 
three  let  us  build,  for  I  feel  assured  on  the  proper  cultivation 
of  these  great  mental,  social,  and  moral  Dualities  will  depend 
our  welfare  and  success.  It  is  related  of  a  certain  knight  who 
donned  his  armor  to  fight  for  the  Holy  Land,  that  as  he  lay 
mortally  wounded  on  the  field  of  battle  he  was  upbraided  by 
a  comrade  for  his  rash  conduct  and  reckless  daring.  "  Up 
braid  me  not,"  said  the  dying  knight,  "  he  who  dares  not  in 
a  good  cause  is  unworthy  of  the  victory."  Let  us,  then, 
unfurl  our  banner  to  the  breeze  and  inscribe  on  it  the  words 
of  this  dying  warrior,  and  with  it  the  equitable  division  of 
time  given  us  by  Sir  Edward  Coke : 

"  Six  hours  to  law,  to   soothing  slumber  seven, 
Ten  to  the  world  allot  and  all  to  heaven/' 

and  I  feel  assured  our  greatest  expectations  will  be  realized. 
In  this  hope,  I  bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell. 


PRESENTATION   OF   CAXE. 

An  Address  on  Presentation  by  Law  Class  of  i866-'67  of  a 
Gold-Headed  Cane,  to  Judge  John  W.  Brockenbrough, 
Law  Professor  of  Washington  and  Lee  University : 

Our  worthy  and  esteemed  Professor :  I  have  been  selected 
by  my  classmates  to  express  to  you  their  appreciation  of 
your  worth  and  to  present  to  you  a  slight  testimonial  of  their 
respect  and  esteem.  I  fear  language  is  indeed  a  poor  mirror 
in  which  to  glass  the  one  or  reflect  the  other.  Your  value, 
your  excellencies,  and  your  virtues,  need  no  orator  to  sound 
their  praise,  and  the  swelling  tide  of  emotion  speaks  louder 
than  trumpet  tones  the  warmth  and  feelings  of  our  hearts. 
One  year  ago  we  gathered  around  you  to  hear  your  words  of 
wisdom  and  receive  your  instruction  and  guidance  in  laying 
the  corner-stone  of  our  profession.  Our  mission  now  is 
ended,  but  we  feel  we  have  not  come  in  vain;  our  expectations 
have  been  more  than  realized.  We  feel  that  you  have  not 
only  performed  every  duty  incumbent  upon  you  as  our  pro 
fessor  and  instructor,  but  that  you  have  laid  out  for  us  a 
course  for  the  future.  You  have  been  careful  to  teach  us  that 
much  more  is  to  be  done  after  we  leave  these  classic  grounds. 
You  have  led  us  to  the  fountain  and  bade  us  drink  the  in 
spiring  draught,  but  you  have  told  us  we  are  yet  to  follow  the 
meandering  stream  in  its  winding  mazes.  You  have  taught 
us,  too,  that  ours  is  no  menial  task;  that  in  solving  these 
complicated  problems  of  jurisprudence  we  are  going  another 
step  nearer  Eternal  Justice,  and  instead  of  being  instruments 
in  defeating  the  great  purposes  of  universal  good  are  archi 
tects  rearing  the  temple  wherein  homage  is  paid  to  Him. 

Sir,  upon  this  foundation  which  you  have  so  wisely  laid  for 
us,  with  your  teachings  and  instructions  as  a  guide  to  our 

[363] 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

wandering  steps,  with  truth,  justice,  and  right  as  the  polar 
star  of  our  destiny,  we  will  "  go  forth  to  meet  the  shadowy 
future  without  fear  and  with  a  manly  heart."  But,  sir,  not 
only  we,  but  all  those  who  trust  that  this  legal  structure  may 
become  more  godlike  in  its  proportions,  in  its  means  of 
administering  justice  and  disseminating  truth,  who  delight 
to  look  on  its  past  with  pride  and  its  future  with  hope,  will 
revere  your  memory  as  one  of  those  whose  lifelong  aim  has 
been  to  lay  the  foundations  of  her  empire  in  true  greatness, 
in  the  supremacy  of  reason  and  majesty  of  right.  The  truly 
great  never  die.  It  cannot  be  that  one  like  you,  who  has 
filled  a  life  of  nearly  eighty  years  with  dignity  and  usefulness 
to  your  fellow-citizens;  one  who  was  so  much  gifted  on  his 
entrance  on  life  and  who  has  increased  his  powers  so  much 
by  culture;  one  who  has  raised  himself  to  such  honor  and 
distinction,  should  ever  fear  the  Lethean  billow  or  the  cor 
roding  rust  of  time.  Though  our  association  has  been  instruc 
tive,  pleasant,  and  agreeable,  we  come  now  to  loose  the  silver 
cord  and  sever  the  golden  chain.  Our  race  here  is  run.  We 
came  as  pilgrims  to  this  shrine  of  learning  and  strangers  to 
you,  but  by  your  dignity  you  won  our  respect;  by  your  kind 
ness  you  won  our  esteem;  by  your  wisdom  and  knowledge 
you  won  our  admiration,  and  by  your  nobility  and  generosity 
of  soul  you  won  our  warmest  friendship.  There  is  not  a 
heart  in  our  midst  that  has  not  a  warm  regard  for  you.  But 
fate  bids  us  part.  Life  at  most  is  but  a  meeting  and  a  parting. 
We  weave  and  bind  the1  silken  cord  only  to  loose  it.  We  now 
pass  from  this  stage  to  engage  in  the  busy  scenes  of  life.  We 
leave  you  here,  to  pursue  the  even  tenor  of  your  way,  with 
these  vacant  chairs  to  tell  the  story  of  the  absent.  There  is  a 
power  and  a  magic  in  the  ruined  battlement,  and  when  these 
ties  are  severed  and  these  associations  broken,  memory  will 
throw  around  this  spot  a  magic  charm,  and  often,  in  fancy, 
we  will  revisit  this  place  around  which  cluster  so  many  fond 
recollections,  and,  like  Old  Mortality,  chisel  deeper  the  traces 
of  friendship  on  the  tablets  of  our  hearts.  But,  sir,  did  we 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book.  365 

need  them,  we  carry  with  us  living  monuments  to  your  great 
ness,  for  in  each  book  of  our  course  and  on  nearly  every  page 
of  them  are  inscriptions  to  your  genius;  landmarks  which  will 
in  after  years  serve  to  recall  the  worth  and  excellence  of  him 
who  nurtured  and  fostered  our  infant  studies.  Rest  assured 
that  wherever  destiny  shall  cast  our  lot,  in  calm  or  in  storm, 
in  prosperity  or  adversity,  we  shall  ever  look  back  with  pride 
and  pleasure  on  the  happy  moments  spent  with  you;  they 
shall  be 

"  Surny  islands  in  our  stormy  main, 
Spots  of  azure  in  our  clouded  sky." 

We  extend  to  you  now  at  parting  our  heartfelt  wishes  for 
your  prosperity  and  happiness,  and  present  you  this  cane  as  a 
slight  testimonial  of  our  respect  and  esteem.  May  it  be  a 
prop  to  your  declining  years,  a  support  to  your  failing 
strength,  and  may  it  in  the  future  serve  as  a  talisman  to 
recall  the  forms  of  those  who  now  revel  in  the  sunlight  of 
your  presence,  but  who  will  then  be  far  out  on  the  ocean  of 
life  battling  with  the  waves  of  its  tempest.  We  would  write 
upon  it,  sir,  as  our  heartfelt  prayer  that  simple  yet  touching 
and  beautiful  motto  inscribed  by  St.  Pierre  on  the  banner  of 
Paul  and  Virginia — "  May  the  brothers  of  Helen,  lucid  stars, 
the  father  of  the  winds,  guide  you,  and  may  you  only  feel  the 
breath  of  the  zephyr." 


LEE  MEMORIAL  MEETING. 
(Kansas  City  Times,  October  15,  1870.) 

Long's  Hall  in  Mourning  Drapery — Resolutions,  Speeches, 
etc. 

Tens  of  thousands  all  over  the  land  are  mourning  over  a 
great  national  calamity — the  death  of  that  eminent  statesman, 
ripe  scholor,  peerless  warrior,  and  Christian  gentleman- 
General  Robert  E.  Lee.  Kansas  City  adds  another  sob  to 
the  thousands  convulsing  the  nation  and  drops  another  tear 
to  swell  the  river  of  grief  that  is  deluging  the  land.  Long's 
Hall  wore  its  most  sorrowful  habiliments  last  night — the 
walls  were  literally  covered  with  crape,  and  even  the  lights 
from  the  chandeliers  were  more  subdued  from  the  heavy 
encircling  drapery.  In  front  of  the  stand  were  three  beautiful 
arches  of  evergreens  thickly  entwined  with  flowers,  and  from 
the  center  one  \vas  suspended  the  protrait  of  him  whose 
memory  they  had  met  to  honor,  while  at  each  side  of  the 
arches  was  a  beautiful  wrax  portrait. 

Altogether,  the  hall  was  decorated  in  the  most  tasteful 
manner.  The  ladies,  ever  ready  to  pay  tribute  to  virtue  and 
nobility,  worked  faithfully  through  the  long  day.  Those 
most  active  and  to  whom  great  credit  is  due  for  the  perfect- 
ness  of  the  arrangements  were  Mrs.  Lykins,  Mrs.  Tyre,  and 
Misses  Lucy  Stonestreet,  Ella  Perry,  Ella  Sites,  and  Kate 
Trefren. 

At  an  early  hour  the  audience  began  to  assemble,  and  be 
fore  the  hour  of  8  the  spacious  hall  would  hold  no  more. 

Major  E.  A.  Hickman,  in  accordance  with  the  arrange 
ments  of  the  committee,  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and 
the  exercises  began  with  a  solemn,  impressive,  and  appro 
priate  prayer  from  Rev.  Mr.  Madera. 

[366] 


Robert  L.  Wysong1. 


3  68  Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions,  through  its  chairman, 
Colonel  John  C.  Moore,  reported  as  follows : 

Whereas  our  beloved  and  honored  countryman,  General 
Robert  E.  Lee,  has  been  taken  from  us  by  death;  and 

Whereas  the  bereavement  at  the  loss  is  not  confined  to  his 
relatives  and  personal  friends,  but  is  felt  universally  through 
out  the  land;  and 

Whereas  the  citizens  of  Kansas  City  feel  it  both  a  duty 
and  a  privilege  to  meet  and  express  their  grief  at  so  great  a 
calamity:  be  it,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  while  we  humbly  recognize  the  inscrutable 
ways  of  Divine  Providence,  we  cannot  but  see  in  the  death 
of  General  Robert  E.  Lee  a  most  deplorable  event — the  loss 
of  the  noblest  specimen  of  American  manhood — the  practi 
cal  educator  and  the  gentle  and  Christian  gentleman. 

Resolved,  That  our  hearts  are  in  perfect  sympathy  with 
those  elsewhere, who  mourn  his  death,  with  his  grief-stricken 
family,  with  his  noble  mother  State,  whose  pride  he  was,  with 
the  entire  South,  who  in  war  and  in  peace  looked  to  him  as 
their  exemplary  chieftain — with  the  American  people,  who 
ever  confessed  his  integrity  of  purpose  and  his  consummate 
ability,  and  loved  him  because  he  possessed  all  those  noble 
attributes  that  make  the  name  American  respected  at  home 
and  honored  abroad,  and  with  all  those  everywhere  who 
regarded  him  in  the  nineteenth  century  as  Washington  was 
regarded  in  the  eighteenth — "  First  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and 
first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 

Captain  George  Baylor,  the  courteous  gentleman  and  gal 
lant  soldier,  stepped  forward  and  said : 

Ladies  and  gentlemen :  We  have  met  to-night  to  pay  a 
small  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our  noble  chieftain, 
Lee.  I  feel  myself  unable  to  do  justice  to  the  virtues  of  so 
illustrious  a  hero.  This  is  an  occasion  when  the  heart  is 
more  eloquent  than  the  tongue.  You  all  knew  him  well,  and 
his  deeds  need  no  orator.  Sprung  from  an  honored  line  of 
ancestors,  he  inherited  a  name  that  has  long  brightened  the 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book.  369 

pages  of  the  nation's  history.  Born  and  reared  on  the  soil 
of  the  Old  Dominion,  he  in  common  with  her  sons  inherited 
that  State  pride  which  is  characteristic  of  every  true  Vir 
ginian.  A  soldier  by  profession,  when  the  tocsin  of  war 
sounded  and  the  two  sections  stood  arrayed  in  hostile  atti 
tude,  he  offered  his  sword  to  his  native  State,  and  was 
honored  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  Virginia  troops. 
Afterwards,  when  his  State  united  her  destinies  with  her 
Southern  sisters,  he  was  commissioned  a  general  in  the  Con 
federate  army  and  assigned  to  duty  in  the  western  part  of 
Virginia.  In  1862,  when  McClellan  was  investing  Richmond 
and  drawing  closer  and  closer  the  lines  of  circumvallation, 
he  was  ordered  to  that  post,  and  when  General  Johnston  was 
wounded,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia.  Here  his  eventful  career  commenced — Cold  Har 
bor,  Malvern  Hill,  Cedar  Mountain,  Manassas,  Sharpsburg, 
Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Spotsylvania, 
and  a  host  of  other  battles,  culminating  in  the  surrender  of 
the  little  army  he  had  so  gallantly  led  at  Appomattox,  are 
the  monuments  he  has  left  along  his  line  of  march  to  com 
memorate  his  skill  and  generalship.  That  he  was  a  great 
soldier,  none  can  deny.  Contending  at  all  times  with  a  force 
superior  to  his  own  in  numbers,  arms,  and  equipments,  well 
clothed  and  fed,  for  three  years  he  baffled  all  the  attempts 
of  his  enemy  and  frequently  wrenched  victory  from  their 
grasp,  and,  when  at  last  he  surrendered  his  sword  and  stacked 
his  8,000  muskets  in  the  face  of  more  than  100,000  of  the  foe, 
the  victors  laid  their  dearly-won  laurels  at  his  feet.  No 
brave  soldier  could  fail  to  respect  and  admire  him.  Among 
his  own  soldiers  he  was  loved  and  revered  by  all.  Such  was 
their  veneration  for  him  that  none  dared  to  speak  ill  of  him. 
In  the  spring  of  1864,  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day's  fight 
in  the  Wilderness,  when  the  army  of  General  Grant,  having 
massed  during  the  night  on  Lee's  center,  were  throwing 
our  men  back  and  threatening  to  demolish  our  small  force 

before  reinforcements  could  be  brought  to  their  rescue,  Lee, 

24 


37°  Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book. 

seeing  the  peril  of  the  situation,  galloped  forward  and  rallied 
the  men.  His  appearance  was  greeted  with  a  shout  that 
caused  the  advancing  line  of  the  enemy  t*>  halt.  The  men 
realizing  the  danger  to  which  their  commander  was  exposed, 
begged  of  him  to  retire,  and  when  he  refused  to  yield  to  their 
solicitations,  two  of  their  number  caught  his  horse  by  the 
bridle  and  led  him  away  to  a  place  of  safety,  while  their  com 
rades,  encouraged  by  his  noble  example  and  cheering  words, 
gallantly  charged  the  foe  and  drove  them  back  into  the 
wilderness.  There  was  a  calm  serenity  about  his  face  that 
denoted  a  courage  which  neither  victory  animated  nor  defeat 
depressed.  Through  all  his  campaigns  he  displayed  the 
courage  and  fortitude  of  a  Caesar  and  the  nobility  and  gen 
erosity  of  an  Alexander.  He  was  not  a  Pompey,  a  Marl- 
borough,  a  Napoleon,  but  a  Camillus,  a  Scipio,  a  Cincinnatus, 
a  Washington;  yes,  he  was  more  than  these,  for  these  were 
great  only  in  victory.  He  was  greatest  in  the  hour  of  defeat. 
However  much  the  American  mind  may  differ  upon  questions 
at  issue  in  the  contest,  all  will  agree  in  assigning  him  a  true 
soldier's  meed  of  praise  and  a  spotless  escutcheon. 

But  his  sword  is  now  sheathed  forever — that  sword  which 
so  often  led  to  victory  is  sheathed  forever. 

"Forth  from  Its  scabbard  all  In  vain, 

Forth  flashed  the  sword  of  Lee, 
It  is  shrouded  now  in  its  sheath  again, 
It  sleeps  the  sleep  of  our  noble  slain, 
Defeated,  yet  without  a  stain, 

Proudfully  and  peacefully." 

The  surrender  at  Appomattox  and  returning  peace  opened 
to  him  a  new  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  noble  virtues.  Thus 
far  others  may  have  been  his  peers,  but  we  must  view  him 
now  as  the  individual  man  standing  alone  in  his  glory  with 
none  to  divide  with  him  the  universal  applause.  Here, 
example  fails,  illustration  finds  no  parallel,  and  Lee  stands 
alone  the  model  hero  in  defeat.  Hungary  wept  without  a 
crime,  but  peace  soiled  the  bright  armor  of  her  favorite  son. 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book.  371 

Italy  mourned  her  lost  liberties,  and  her  warrior  is  to-day  a 
hapless  adventurer;  but  Virginia's  peerless  soldier  is  her 
peerless  citizen.  Foremost  in  war,  he  battled  heroically  and 
manfully  in  her  cause;  foremost  in  defeat,  he  bore  the  burden 
of  her  oppression;  foremost  in  peace,  he  taught  her  sons  the 
noble  lesson  that  all  was  not  lost,  that  knowledge  is  power, 
that  the  unconquerable  mind  could  look  up  through  the 
ruin  and  desolation  that  surrounded  it,  and  in  the  fields  of 
literature  and  science  fight  new  battles  and  gain  new  victo 
ries.  I  search  history  in  vain  for  his  peer !  I  look  hopelessly 
to  the  future  for  his  equal !  But  it  has  pleased  God  to  remove 
him  from  his  sphere  of  usefulness.  But  he  is  not  dead.  The 
truly  great  never  die.  Fathers  and  mothers  will  delight  to 
tell  their  prattling  children  how  he  lived,  fought,  and  died, 
and  the  name  of  Robert  E.  Lee,  the  brightest  in  the  galaxy 
of  the  heroes  of  the  Furled  Banner,  will  ever  be  household 
words  and  his  fame  lasting  as  that  conqueror  of  ages — time 
itself.  He  sleeps  now  in  the  land  he  so  much  loved,  near  by 
the  soldiers  he  so  gallantly  led,  and  beneath  the  monument 
which  commemorates  his  triumphs  of  peace.  We  leave  him 
there  to  rest,  assured  he  will  not  be  forgotten.  When  the 
revolving  seasons  bring  back  the  spring-time  and  the  flowers, 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  South  will  delight  to  gather 
around  that  grave,  water  it  with  the  tears  of  affection  and 
;Strew  it  with  the  roses  of  memory. 

"And  throughout  coming  ages, 

When  his  sword  is  rust, 
And  his  deeds  in  classic  pages, 
Shall  Virginia  bending  lowly, 
Still  a  ceaseless  vigil  holy 
Keep  above  his  dust? " 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  VIRGINIA  vs.  HITT. 

Edward  Hitt  was  tried  at  Luray,  Va.,  in  July,  1882,  for 
the  murder  of  Strickler,  which  took  place  some  five  years 
previous.  After  killing  Strickler,  Hitt  fled  to  Ohio,  where  he 
took  an  assumed  name,  married  the  daughter  of  a  well-to-do 
farmer,  who,  upon  her  marriage,  became  acquainted  with  the 
fact  that  her  husband  was  a  fugitive  from  justice,  and  insisted 
that  he  should  return  and  stand  his  trial.  In  accordance  with 
her  wishes  he  returned  to  Virginia  and  surrendered  himself 
to  the  authorities,  was  tried  and  virtually  acquitted,  the  jury 
imposing  only  a  fine  of  $100.  Senator  Riddleberger  and 
Major  Armstrong  for  the  State  and  J.  W.  Menifee  and  George 
Baylor  for  the  defence.  George  Baylor's  closing  remarks 
were  as  follows : 

"Gentlemen  of  the  Jury:  There  are  others  beside  this 
defendant  interested  in  your  verdict.  In  a  distant  State,  the 
home  of  his  refuge,  it  has  pleased  God  to  raise  up  for  him  a 
friend,  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother;  one  whose  heart 
beats  in  sympathy  with  his  own  and  they  have  become 

'  Two  souls  with  a  single  thought, 
Two  hearts  that  beat  as  one/ 

and  she  has  confided  her  life,  her  honor,  and  her  happiness  to 
his  keeping.  Her  woman's  heart  was  moved  to  tenderness 
at  the  story  of  this  unfortunate,  homeless,  wandering  boy, 
and  gave  him  its  priceless  jewel  of  love  and  affection. 

'  She  loved   him   for   the  sorrows   he   endured, 
And  he  loved  her  that  she  did  pity  them.' 

That  woman  who  has  sacrificed  her  all  for  him,  asks  you 
pleadingly  to-day  to  restore  him  to  her  without  a  blot  or 
stain  on  his  name.  She  entreats  you  not  to  cloud  her  life  as 

[372] 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

well  as  his,  with  sorrow  and  disgrace.  God  grant  that  this 
day  may  end  her  trials  and  sufferings,  and  that  this  noble  act 
of  her  young  life  may  find  its  reward  in  your  verdict.  A 
father  and  a  sister  look  longingly  towards  you,  and  the  eyes 
of  an  angel  mother  are  suffused  with  tears,  as  she  views  from 
the  spirit  land  her  darling  boy.  Can  you  withstand  their 
tears?  Can  you  coldly  and  unfeelingly  turn  aside  heedless 
of  these  eloquent  tongues  of  affection?  "  Blessed  are  the 
merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy,"  comes  ringing  in  your 
ears.  Say  to  the  loving  wife,  you  have  sacrificed  enough; 
here  is  your  reward;  we  restore  to  you  your  husband.  Say 
to  the  father  who  fondled  his  young  life,  we  restore  him  and 
bless  your  grey  hairs.  Say  to  the  fond  sister,  your  prayer  is 
heard  and  your  brother  is  saved.  Wipe  the  tear  from  the  eye 
of  the  angel  mother  and  light  up  her  face  with  a  smile,  and  as 
you  go  down  to  your  homes  and  families  to-night,  the  joy  of 
these  hearts  will  be  ringing  in  your  ears  and  render  you 
nobler,  better,  and  happier.  I  leave  him  in  your  care  and 
keeping,  and  I  know  he  is  safe." 


STATE  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA  vs.- BRAGG. 

Bragg  was  indicted  in  1881  for  killing  Spinks,  in  Charles- 
town.  Spinks  was  a  shoemaker,  living  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  town,  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army,  was 
severely  wounded,  and  made  a  cripple.  Bragg  entered  his 
shop  to  get  a  pair  of  boots  which  Spinks  had  mended  for 
him  and  wanted  to  carry  them  off  without  paying  for  them. 
A  quarrel  ensued,  and  Spinks  struck  Bragg,  who  was  a 
strong  young  man,  physically  superior  to  Spinks.  Bragg 
ran  out  of  the  shop  (Spinks  hobbling  after  him)  to  the  middle 
of  the  street,  where  he  got  a  stone,  which  he  threw  at  Spinks, 
striking  him  about  the  temple,  and  killing  him  instantly. 
Bragg  was  defended  by  the  Hons.  D.  B.  Lucas  and  James 
H.  Grove,  and  was  prosecuted  by  C.  Moore,  State's  Attorney, 
and  George  Baylor,  the  closing  part  of  whose  speech  was  as 
follows : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Jury:  I  have  sought  to  lay  this  case 
before  you  in  a  calm  and  dispassionate  manner.  I  have  tried 
to  do  no  wrong  or  injustice  to  this  defendant.  I  know  there 
are  hearts  here  yearning  for  his  restoration  to  liberty.  I 
reverence  the  feelings  and  emotions  of  the  parental  heart. 
They  are  the  attributes  in  fallen  man  which  show  likest  God. 
Give  these  feelings  a  lodgment  in  your  breast,  but,  remem 
ber,  while  you  look  on  this  defendant,  and  your  hearts  beat 
in  sympathy  and  compassion  for  his  aged  father  and  mother, 
there  is  another  household  in  which  is  seated  the  wife,  whom 
he  has  ruthlessly  widowed,  and  five  infant  children,  who  wait 
in  vain  for  the  'touch  of  a  vanished  hand,  the  sound  of  a  voice 
that  is  still.'  These  no  longer  gather  around  their  father's 
humble  bench  to  beguile  his  labors  with  their  childish  sports; 
the  bench  is  vacant;  the  sound  of  his  hammer  is  heard  no 
more;  their  voices  have  lost  their  music;  their  little  hearts  are 
sad  as  they  look  mournfully  out  on  the  world  and  ask  its 

[374] 


m 

w 


', 


Wm.  L.  Wilson. 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

charity.  These  claim  from  you  a  tear.  But  if  this  helpless 
widow  and  these  orphan  children  do  not  appeal  to  you  for 
justice,  recall  for  a  moment  his  victim,  feeble  in  health,  his 
crutches  at  his  side,  wounded,  afflicted,  bearing  on  his  person 
the  honorable  scars  of  war,  amid  the  throes  of  poverty,  man 
fully,  yes,  heroically,  battling  with  the  waves  of  adverse  for 
tune,  nobly  performing  that  highest  and  holiest  duty  of  a 
husband  and  a  father — the  maintenance  and  support  of  his 
family — toiling  in  the  late  twilight  of  a  Saturday  evening  in 
his  humble  little  shop  in  your  town,  long  after  the  strong  and 
vigorous  had  retired  from  their  labors,  suddenly  stricken 
down,  and  in  a  manner  so  brutal  and  so  despicable  as  not  to 
leave  even  a  spark  of  manhood  to  lend  either  virtue  or  dignity 
to  the  crime.  In  a  country  that  boasts  of  its  chivalry,  the 
person  of  the  weak,  the  feeble,  and  the  afflicted,  should  ever 
be  sacred,  and  he  who  violates  that  sanctity  not  only  breaks 
the  law,  but  should  forfeit  title  to  the  respect  of  true  man 
hood,  for  his  crime  is  not  alone  against  law,  both  human  and 
divine,  but  against  nobility  and  humanity. 

"  But  where  will  this  defendant  flee  for  refuge  from  this 
crime?  In  ancient  days  there  was  a  tribunal  in  which  insulted 
honor  and  offended  dignity  could  seek  redress  for  every 
wrong;  a  tribunal  recognized  in  the  law,  and  moving  hand  in 
hand  and  side  by  side  with  that  tribunal  in  which  the  rights 
of  person  and  the  rights  of  property  were  protected.  This 
was  the  tribunal  of  fair  and  honorable  combat.  Will  this 
defendant  seek  here  the  shelter  of  that  tribunal?  He  that 
comes  into  her  court  must  wage  no  unequal  conflict.  In  this 
case,  on  the  one  side  I  see  youth  and  strength;  on  the  other 
weakness  and  infirmity;  on  the  one  side  I  see  a  deadly  missile; 
on  the  other  I  hear  a  feeble  threat.  In  such  an  unequal  con 
test  the  result  is  too  apparent;  the  one  revels  in  safety,  the 
other  lies  stark  and  cold  in  death.  No;  there  is  no  place 
of  refuge  for  him  here.  He  has  trampled  under  foot  every 
principle  the  genius  of  that  institution  consecrated,  and  she 
spurns  him  from  her  courts.  Will  he  appeal  to  the  bar  of  that 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Rook.  377 

enlightened  public  opinion  which  accords  to  every  man  not 
a  mean,  degrading,  and  debasing,  but  a  high  and  honorable 
self-defence;  for  the  code  of  its  wisdom  does  not  compel  a 
man  to  flee  to  the  wall,  but  it  does  insist  that  he  who  seeks  its 
protection  shall  have  a  reasonable  apprehension  of  immediate 
grievous  bodily  harm.  The  groundless  fears  of  a  feeble  heart 
encamped  in  a  strong  and  vigorous  body,  when  assailed  by  an 
unarmed,  infirm,  and  crippled  adversary,  receives  no  counte 
nance  at  her  hands.  There  is  no  place  in  its  courts  for  such 
a  crime.  '  Here  is  the  smell  of  blood  still,  all  the  perfumes  of 
Arabia  will  not  sweeten  this  hand.' 

"  To  you  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  is  entrusted  a  most  im 
portant  part  in  the  execution  of  the  laws.  You  are  sworn  to 
try  this  case  on  the  evidence;  that  duty  you  must  not  hesitate 
to  perform.  But  I  wish  to  caution  you  against  a  false  idea 
of  mercy  that  oftentimes  creeps  into  the  minds  of  jurymen 
and  warps  their  better  judgment.  *  Mercy  but  murders, 
pardoning  those  that  kill.'  Mercy  in  its  true  sense  is  a  noble 
attribute;  it  springs  from  the  heart  of  the  injured  to  the 
injurer;  from  an  offended  God  to  offending  man,  but  that 
mercy  which  is  the  offspring  of  no  noble  emotion  of  the  soul, 
which  arises  from  no  deprivation  or  damage  suffered,  which 
has  its  origin  in  an  indifference  and  aversion  to  the  infliction 
of  merited  punishment,  is  the  child  of  injustice  and  cowardice. 
I  trust  you  are  free  from  this  weakness.  The  manner  in 
which  you  perform  your  duty  to-day  is  a  matter  that  not  only 
affects  the  prisoner  at  the  bar,  but  each  and  all  of  us.  A 
brother's  blood  cries  unto  us  from  the  ground.  The  law  that 
he  has  violated  is  no  law  of  human  origin;  it  is  the  same  law 
that  the  grand  old  sage  whom  the  hand  of  God  laid  to  rest 
over  against  Beth-Peor's  heights  proclaimed  to  the  children 
of  Israel  as  an  ordinance  among  them  and  their  posterity 
forever,  and  '  if  he  smite  him  with  throwing  a  stone,  where 
with  he  may  die,  and  he  die,  he  is  a  murderer,  the  murderer 
shall  surely  be  put  to  death.'  This  is  not  only  the  teaching 
of  Holy  Writ,  but  it  is  the  voice  of  nature  uttering  one  of  her 


37$  Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

immutable  truths.  It  is  your  high  and  holy  duty  to  enforce 
the  law  not  only  as  an  example  to  deter  others  from  the 
commission  of  a  like  offence,  but  as  the  ^'ust  reward  of  his 
action.  I  ask  you,  then,  to  assert  the  dignity  of  true  man 
hood,  closing  your  eyes  upon  the  offender,  visit  his 
offence  with  that  punishment  the  law  prescribes  and  justice 
demands.  Let  no  false  notion  of  generosity  or  humanity 
deter  or  swerve  you  from  the  line  of  duty.  Remember  your 
oath  and  the  solemn  obligation  it  imposes,  not  in  vengeance 
but  in  true  mercy;  vindicate  the  equality  of  justice,  the  purity 
of  judgment,  the  majesty  and  supremacy  of  the  law.  There 
is  a  consciousness  of  duty  well  performed  which  follows  each 
of  us  and  silently  applauds  us  in  the  way.  May  you  go  from 
this  jury-box  this  day  with  this  pleasing  reward  of  your 
labors  and  lie  down  this  night  to  refreshing  slumbers,  fully 
assured  that  the  law  you  have  this  day  vindicated  holds  its 
protecting  aegis  over  you  and  your  families.  I  leave  the  case 
now  in  your  hands  with  the  full  assurance  you  will  weigh  the 
testimony  and  render  such  a  verdict  as  your  consciences  will 
approve." 

Verdict:    Voluntary    manslaughter;    four    years    in    the 
penitentiary. 


YOUNG   LOVE'S    DREAM. 

Te  Miss  Ellen  Lisle  while  at  Berkeley  Springs: 

AUGUST  20,  1867. 

Slowly  and  mournfully, 

Ellen  Lisle, 
Pass   the   cheerless   moments 

One  by  one; 

For  over  the  face  of  time, 
Solemnly  and  sublime 
Peals  the  saddening  chime, 

Ellen's  gone. 

Sadly  and  feelingly, 

Ellen  Lisle, 
Throbs  my  uneasy  heart 

All  the  while, 
For  over  my  heart-strings 
Memory  softly  brings, 
A  voice  that  ever  sings, 

Ellen  Lisle. 

Nightly  and  dreamily, 

Ellen  Lisle, 
Speeds   my  spirit  away 

Many  a  mile, 

And   o'er   my  troubled   dream, 
Like  a  meteor's  gleam, 
Flashes  the  cheering  beam, 

Ellen's  smile. 

Fondly  and  sincerely, 

Ellen  Lisle, 
My  thoughts  in  devotion 

Follow  thee, 

Ch!    in  the  merry  dance, 
Just  now  and  then  perchance 
Return  one  pleasing  glance 

Back  to  me. 
[379] 


Leaves  From  My  S crap-Book. 

Darkly  and  drearily, 

Ellen  Lisle, 
Pass  the  lonely  moments 

All   the  while; 

Come,  bid  this  night  begone, 
Come,  haste  the  rosy  morn, 
And  cheer  a  heart  forlorn^ 

Ellen  Lisle. 

Quickly   and   speedily 

Ellen  Lisle, 
Greet  with  thy  voice  again 

Home,    sweet   home, 
Then,  filled  with  joy  profound, 
My  spirits  will  rebound 
And  its  echoes  resound, 

Ellen's  come. 


Jno.  O.  Yates. 


TO  MY  "LAST  RESORT." 

The  following  lines  were  written  from  Kansas  City,  Mo., 
in  1869,  to  a  young  lady  in  Jefferson,  who  had,  on  his 
departure  West,  promised  the  writer  that  after  unsuccessful 
effort  elsewhere,  she  would  be  his  last  resort. 

"  'Tis  my  last  resort,"  my  beautiful  one, 
For  I've  searched  in  vain  all  climes  of  the  sun, 
Till  hope  is  eclipsed  in  the  shadow  of  fear 
And  the  tablet  of  joy  is  stained  with  a  tear. 
Come  in  thy  beauty  in  this  hour  of  despair 
And  bring  back  the  face  my  heart  used  to  wear; 
Yea,  teach  me  to  live  in  the  glance  of  thine  eye, 
To  weep  when  thou'rt  far  and  laugh  when  thou'rt  nigh, 
To  trust  in  thy  truth  when  storms  are  above 
And  anchor  my  faith  in  thy  haven  of  love. 

Stay  not  thy  coming,  for  night  shadows  fall, 

Investing  my  heart  in  an  ominous  pall; 

Thy  presence  will  bring  the  sun  through  the  cloud, 

The  beams  of  thy  love  dispel  the  dark  shroud, 

Welcome  the  morrow  with  rosy  delight, 

And  follow  with  joy  the  footsteps  of  night. 

Be  queen  of  this  heart  and  make  it  thy  home, 
When  safe  from  the/ storm  no  sorrow  shall  come, 
Each  moment  be  blest  and  instinctively  seem 
A  Utopia  of  bliss,  a  fairly-land  dream, 
Till  angels  look  down  from  heaven  above 
And  crimson  their  blush  in  its  mirror  of  love. 

Oh!   then  I'll  not  mourn  the  loves  that  I  have  lost, 
But  estimate  all  as  the  sum  of  thy  cost, 
Nor  think  you  o'er  dear  or  prize  you  the  less, 
That  these  were  wanting  in  genuineness. 
"  Since  last  shall  be  first,"  let  anchor  be  cast 
And  you  shall  be  first,  and  shall  be  the  last. 
[  382  ] 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Book.  383 

(On  seeing  an  old  sweetheart  after  several  years'  absence,  1881.) 

Bright  dream  of  my  youth!     Sweet  shade  of  the  past, 

I  saw  thee  to-day,  how  changed  since  the  last; 

The  hope  of  my  youth  is  vanished  and  gone, 

Its  prayer  unanswered,  its  desire  undone; 

Thy  bright  smile  may  still  excite  the  cold  heart, 

But  to  hopes  now  dead,  no  life  can  impart, 

A  gulf  lies  between  I  dare  not  pass  o'er, 

Though  a  heart  and  a  hand  await  me  on  shore; 

But  memory  yet  lives  in  scenes  of  the  past, 

And  o'er  its  dreamland  its  halo  will  cast 

As  smiles  that  light  up  the  face  of  the  dead, 

The  beams  still  linger,  when  the  spirit  is  fled. 


LINES  SUGGESTED  BY   DECORATION-DAY. 

(Written  just  after  Decoration -Day,  1873.) 

I  want  your  love  just  while  I  live, 

While  I  can  still  that  love  return, 
It  will  not  joy  or  comfort  give 

When  lamp  of  life  has  ceased  to  burn. 

When   the  soldier's   companion   falls, 

He  waits   to   see   the  pause   of  life, 
Then  onward  goes  where  duty  calls, 

And  drowns  his  woe  in  battle  strife. 

Thus  when  'tis  fate  for  me  to  die, 

Breathe  but  one"  sigh  for  memory  dear, 

And  gently  close  the  fading  eye, 
Affection  asks  not  e'en  a  tear. 

Pluck  not,  I  pray,  the  wild  flowers'  bloom, 
Nor  chaplet  wreathe  nor  rustic  crown, 

To  deck  a  cold  and  lifeless   tomb 
Where  mortal  dust  alone  is  found. 

Can  sweetest  flowers  illume  the  grave, 

Or  cheer  or  bless  the  tenant  there. 
Knows  he  the,  hand  that  loving  gave 

Those  flowers  so  beautiful  and  fair? 

I  can  as  calm  and  sweetly  sleep 

In  death's  silent,  reposing  lair, 
Without  a  friend  to  sigh  or  weep 

Or  place  in   love  a  rose-bud   there. 

But  love  me,  friends,  while  I  can  still 
Clasp  hand  with  hand  in  kinship  given, 

Meet  heart  with  heart  in  joyous  thrill 
And  feel  this  earth  is  nearing  heaven. 

[384] 


TO  MISS  MARY,  1881. 

The  morning  sun   whose  cheering  ray, 

Dispels  from  earth  the  mists  of  night 
And  ushers  in  the  joyful  day 

That  brings  my  Mary  to  my  sight, 
A  moment  views  the  sleeping, 

Then   fondly  wakes   her  with   a   kiss, 
While  I  stand  back  abashed,  afraid, 

And  almost  die  in  sight  of  bliss. 

Oh!  were  I  a  spirit  of  the  air 

That  viewless  wields  its  magic  art, 
I,  too,  would  press  those  lips  so  fair, 

And  fold  thee  fondly  to  my  heart. 
What  these  sunbeams  each  morn  fulfil 

My  heart  approves,  though  yet  forbears, 
For  love  that's  true  is  deep  and  still; 

It  would   attempt,   but  seldom  dares. 

'Tis    said    love   springs    from    fond    desires 

And  has  its  home  within  the  heart, 
But  the  lips  feed  its  vestal  fires 

And  all  its  purest  joys  impart. 
Then,   Mary,   grant  a  lover's  prayer 

One  moment  of  ecstatic  bliss, 
No   purer   joy   beyond   compare 

To  press  upon  thy  lips  a  kiss. 

When  death  draws  near,  as  soon  it  must, 

We  bear  the  signet  of  decay; 
E'er  this  vile  body  turns  to  dust, 

As  evening  shadows  close  its  day. 
In  all  your  warmth  and  tenderness 

Upon  these  lips,  so  parched  and  dry, 
Mary,  come  near,  and  one  kiss  press, 

And  I  will  feel,  "  'tis  sweet  to  die." 

[385] 


UNCLE   SAM   TO    SENORITA  EVANGELINE 

CISNEROS. 

MAY  3,  1898. 

(The  father  of  Evangeline  Cisneros,  while  making  prepara 
tions  to  join  the  Cuban  forces,  was  taken  prisoner  and  sen 
tenced  to  be  shot.  Evangeline,  then  a  girl  of  sixteen, 
hastened  to  see  the  Captain-General  of  Cuba,  to  ask  clemency 
in  his  behalf.  After  much  delay  she  gained  admittance,  and 
the  sentence  was  commuted  to  imprisonment  for  life  in  the 
Spanish  penal  colony  in  Africa.  This  commutation  saved  her 
father  for  a  time,  but  resigned  him  to  a  slow  and  certain 
death.  A  new  Captain-General  came  into  office  at  this  time, 
and  Evangeline  determined  to  seek  from  him  further 
clemency.  After  being  turned  away  from  the  gate  of  that 
officer's  quarters  for  many  days,  she  finally,  through  the 
kindness  of  his  son,  was  admitted,  and  her  father's  sentence 
was  commuted  to  imprisonment  in  the  penal  colony  on  the 
Isle  of  Pines,  a  small  island  lying  south  of  Cuba.  While  her 
father  remained  in  prison  in  Cuba,  Evangeline  daily  prepared 
his  meals  and  took  them  in  a  little  basket  to  the  prison,  but 
she  was  seldom  allowed  to  enter.  When  this  sentence  was 
imposed,  Evangeline  and  her  sister  Carmen  accompanied 
their  father  and  shared  his  privations.  Her  beauty  attracted 
the  attention  of  Colonel  Berriz,  the  governor  of  the  island, 
and  he  became  violently  enamoured  of  her.  When  he  found 
his  addresses  repulsed,  he  tried  to  influence  her  by  severe 
punishments  inflicted  on  her  father,  and  finding  these  un 
availing,  he  then  attempted  to  ravish  her,  but  her  cries  caused 
the  Cuban  prisoners  to  rise,  and  Berriz  was  severely  handled. 
For  this  Evangeline  and  Carmen  were  charged  with  exciting 
the  prisoners  to  murder  Berriz,  and  she  and  her  sister  were 
sent  to  Havana  and  confined  in  a  loathsome  prison  with 

[386] 


Leaves  From  My  Scrap-Boo1-:.  $8j 

abandoned  characters.  Her  sister  was  released  rfter  a  short 
imprisonment,  but  Evangeline  remained  there  fifteen  months, 
when  she  was  rescued  by  the  heroic  Carl  Decker.) 

I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Bewailing  thy  father's  cruel  fate; 
I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Calling  in  vain  at  the  despot's  gate; 
I  have  seen  thee  bear  thy  frugal   gift 

And  knock  in  vain  at  the  prison  door, 
Yearning  to  solace  thy  father's  life, 

His  hunger  feed  from  thy  scanty  store; 
Cuba  Libre's  battle-cry  is  mine, 

Sword  of  the  Lord  and  Evangeline. 

I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Thy  songs  wafted  on  the  Southern  winds; 
I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Awakening  far  out  the  Isle  of  Pines; 
Spanish   tyrants   tremble   at    thy   call, 

Tho'  helpless  thou  wert,  brave  hearts  were  near; 
To  save  virtue  from  Hispano  lust, 

They  break  prison  chains  and  banish  fear; 
Cuba  Libre's  oattle-cry  is  mine, 

Sword  of  the  Lord  and  Evangeline. 

I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Appealing  from  the  felon's  loathsome  cell; 
I  have  heard  thy  voice,  Evangeline, 

Calling  to  me  from  Habana's  hell; 
I  will  avenge  all  thy  cruel  wrongs, 

Break  thy  father's  chains,  thy  country  free; 
Berriz's  blood  shall  Tarquin  lust  atone, 

And  dear  Carmen  be  restored  to  thee; 
Cuba  Libre's  battle-cry  is  mine, 

Sword  of  the  Lord  and  Evangeline. 


Mason  E.  Young-. 


Appendix 


ROLL  OF  BAYLOR  LIGHT-HORSE. 


OFFICERS. 


Baylor,  R.    II" 

Rouss,  Milton 

Baylor,  George , 

Washington,  B.  C 

Timberlake,  S.  W 

Conklyn,  J.  H 

Trussell,   C.    W. 

Frazier,  W.  C.. 


Wounded. 
Wounded. 
Wounded. 
Wounded. 
Wounded. 


Captain. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieutenant. 

Third   Lieutenant. 

Orderly   Sergeant. 

Second  Sergeant. 

Third  Sergeant. 

Fourth  Sergeant. 


Wounded. 


PRIVATES. 


Aisquith,  E.  M. 
Aisquith,  TF.  J/. 
Anderson,  Isaac 

Wounded. 

Alexander,  Charles 
Alexander,  Herbert 
Aver  ill,  William 

Killed. 
Baylor,  Richard  C. 

Killed. 
Baylor,  Robert   W.,  Jr. 

Killed. 
Bartlett,  Joseph 

Wounded. 
Baker,  William  H. 

Wounded. 
Baney,  Thaddeus 

Killed. 

Barring er,  James 
Beall,  H.  D. 
Bell,  Daniel 

Wounded. 


[39i] 


Berry,  Charles 

Wounded. 

Bonham,  Edward 
Butler,  J.  D. 
Conklyn,  C.  C. 
Chamberlain,  Lucien 
Crane,  C.  L. 
Castleinan,  Robert 

Wounded. 

Cooke,  B.  W. 
Coleman,  John 

Wounded. 
Conrad,  Morris 
Conrad,  J.  M.  M. 
Crane,  Joseph 
Crane,  J.  C. 

Wounded. 
Cookus,  Robert 
Creaton,  George 

Wounded. 
Coyle,  J.    W. 


392 


Appendix. 


Craighill,  R.  T. 

Wounded. 
Dovenberger,  Daniel 

Wounded. 

Easterday,  Joseph 
Easterday,  John 
Eddins,  If.  a 

Wounded. 
English,  W.  D. 

Wounded. 
Faughnder,  Daniel 

Wounded. 

Favghnder,  Fenton 
Fry,  J.  D. 
Gallaher,  J.  H. 

Wounded. 
Gallaher,  J.  S. 
Gallaher,  Edward 
Gordon,  Abraham 

Wounded. 
Gibson,  W.  If. 
Grantham,  J.  S. 
Henderson,  Charles  E. 

Wounded. 

Henderson,  Robert 
Hilbert,  John 
Hilbert,  George 
Howell,  John 
Huyett,  R.  I). 

Killed. 

H  off  master,  J.  W. 
Hutchimon,  Julian,  Dr. 
Hunter,  H.  C\ 
Isler,  C.  H. 

Killed. 

Lackland,  E.  M. 
Lewis,  B.  F. 
Lewis,  J.  L. 
Lewis,  Elisha 
Lewis,  George 

Killed. 
Lewis,  David 

Killed. 
Locke,  William 

Killed. 

Manning,  C.  J. 
Manning,  G.  U. 

Killed. 
Manning,  William  P. 

Wounded. 


Manning,  F.  J. 

Wounded. 
Manning,  Ad. 
My%rs,  Thomas 
Mason,  William  S. 
McKown,    Warner 

Killed. 

McCluer,  John 
Moore,  Monrose 

Killed. 

North,  Robert 
Rouss,  C.  B. 
Ranson,  Thomas  D. 

Wounded. 
Ranson,  B.  B. 
Randall,  James 
Redman,  T.  B. 
Rowland,  J.  H. 
Strider,  Isaac  H. 

Wounded. 
Starry,  Tustin. 
Sadler,  L,  L. 
Selden,  W.  C. 

Wounded. 
Smith,  John  W. 

Killed. 

Tearney,  Leo 
Thomson,  William  S. 
Timberlake,  George 

Wounded. 
Timberlake,  Richard 

Killed. 

Timberlake,  Stephen 
Timberlake,  J.  H. 

Wounded. 

Timberlake,  J.  L. 

Wounded. 
Timberlake,  T.  W. 

Wounded. 

Timberlake,  Harry 
Trussell,  J.  T. 
.Trussell,  P..  C. 
Trussell,  Moses 

Terrill,  Philip 
Killed. 

Terrill,  J.   U. 

Washington,    George 
Wounded. 

Washington,  J.  C. 


Appendix.  393 

Wysong,  R.  L.  Workman,  John 

Wounded.  Killed. 

Willis,  Beale  Wingard,  George 

Willis,  Albert  Wounded. 

Willis,  Frank  Yat      John  0 
Wilson,  AVilliam  L. 

Wiltshire,  J.  C.  Y°Ung'  MaS°n  E 

Killed  Zombro,  /.  W. 

Whittington,  Ben  Zombro,  T.  B. 

Wolfe,  John  W.  Killed. 

Wriqht,  Samuel  Zombro,  J.  D. 
Killed. 

Killed,  19.        Wounded.  85.        Dead  (Italics),  62. 


MARCH  1,  1900. 

ROLL  OF  SURVIVORS  OF  BAYLOR  LIGHT  HO.  SE,   COMPANY   B 

TWELFTH  VIRGINIA  CAVALRY,  WITH  OCCUPATION 

AND   PRESENT  ADDRESS. 

Milton   Rouss,  farmer,   Kabletown,   Jefferson  county,  W.   Va. 

George  Baylor,  lawyer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

B.  C.  Washington,  grain  dealer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

Aisquith,  E.  M.,  merchant,  St.  Joseph,  Mo. 

Anderson,   Isaac,,  farmer,   Bloomfield,  Va. 

Beall,  H.  D.,  Sun  Editorial  Corps,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Bell,  Daniel,  physician,  Marshall,  Mo. 

Butler,  J.  D.,  farmer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

Conklyn,  J.  H.,  farmer,  Berryville,  Va. 

Conklyn,  C.  C.,  farmer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

Chamberlain,  Lucien,  farmer,  Bel  Air,  Mo. 

Castleman,  Robert,  farmer,  Berry's  Ferry,  Va. 

Cooke,  B.  W.,  teacher,  Trimble,  Ky. 

Coleman,  John,  speculator,  Waco,  Texas. 

Copeland,  Philip,  builder,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Conrad,  J.  M.  M.,  merchant,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Crane,  Joseph,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

Crane,  James  C.,  merchant,  Exeter,  Mo. 

Cookus,  Robert,  farmer,  Brock's  Gap,  Va. 

Craighill,  Robert  T.,  lawyer,  Lynchburg,  Va. 

Dovenberger,  Daniel,   farmer,   Benedict,  Neb. 

Easterday,   Joseph,   stoves  and  tinware,   Charlestown,   W.   Va. 

Easterday,  John,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

English,  W.  D.,  ex.  M.  C.  and  lawyer,  Oakland,  Cal. 

Frazier,  Wm.  C.,  farmer,  Summit  Point,  W.  Va. 

Grantham,  John  S.,  Middleway,  W.  Va. 


394  Appendix. 

Henderson,  Charles  Ev  vice-president  P.  &.  R.  R.  R.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Hilbert,  John,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Hilbert,  George,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Howell,  John,  merchant,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 
Hoffmaster,  John  W.,  farmer,  Benedict,  Neb. 
Lewis,  John  L.,  farmer,  Middleway,  W.  Va. 
Lewis,  Elisha,  farmer,  Middleway,  W.  Va. 
Lewis,  Frank,  builder,  Berryville,  Va. 

Manning,  C.  J.,  agent,  farming  implements,  Bridgewater,  Va. 
Manning,  F.  J.,  farmer  and  grain  dealer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 
Manning,  William  P.,  physician,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Myers,  Thomas,  merchant,  Danville,  111. 
Mason,  W.  S.,  farmer,  Woodville,  Va. 
McCluer,  John,  lawyer,  Parkersburg,  W.  Va. 
Ranson,  Thomas  D.,  lawyer,  Staunton,  Va. 
Ranson,  B.  B.,  physician,  Harper's  Ferry,  W.  Va. 
Randall,  James,  farmer,  Hardscrabble,  W.  Va. 
Redman,  Thomas  B.,  druggist,  Louisville,  Ky. 
Rowland,  J.  H.,  miller,  Wheatland,  W.  Va. 
Rouss,  Charles  B.,  merchant,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Strider,  Isaac  H.,  farmer,  Leetown,  W.  Va. 
Starry,  Tustin,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 
Selden,  W.  C.,  Warrenton,  Va. 
Tearney,  Leo,   Harper's  Ferry,   W.   Va. 
Thomson,  William  S.,  lawyer,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
Timberlake,  S.  M.,  merchant,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Timberlake,  Stephen,  merchant,  Staunton,  Va. 
Timberlake,  James  H.,  merchant,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Timberlake,  George,  farmer,  Stephenson's,  Va. 
Timberlake,  T.  W.,  farmer,  Milldale,  Va. 
Timberlake,   Harry,   merchant,  Winchester,  Va. 
Trussell,  James,  farmer,  Kearneysville,  W.  Va. 
Trussell,  Moses,  farmer,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 
Wysong,  R.  L.,  grain  dealer,  Duffields,  W.  Va. 
Willis,  Bealle,  Waco,  Texas. 

Wilson,  William  L.,  president  Washington  and  Lee  University,   Lex 
ington,  Va. 

Wolfe,  John  W.,  Lovettsville,  Va. 
Young,  Mason  E.,  sergeant,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 


BAYLOR  FAMILY. 

John  Baylor  was  born  in  1650  at  Tiverton,  Devonshire, 
England,  came  to  Gloucester  county,  Virginia,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  acquired  a  large  estate 
by  extensive  trade  as  a  merchant.  He  was  Burgess  for 
Gloucester  county  in  1692  and  King  and  Queen  in  1718.  He 
married  Lucy  Todd  O'Brien,  of  New  Kent,  in  1698,  and  at 
his  death,  left  a  very  considerable  property,  his  personal 
estate  being  appraised  at  £6,500.  (Va.  Mag.  of  Hist.  & 
Biographv,  Vol.  IX.,  p.  363.)  The  books  kept  at  his  various 
counting-houses  in  Gloucester,  King  and  Queen  and  New 
Kent  are  still  preserved  at  New  Market.  Mention  is  made  of 
six  or  seven  ships,  belonging  to  him  at  different  times,  en 
gaged  in  trading  with  the  Old  World.  He  and  Colonel 
George  Braxton  were  the  Burgesses  for  King  and  Queen  in 
1718.  (See  Burk's  Virginia,  Vol.  III.,  and  Virginia  Histori 
cal  Register,  Vol.  II.)  His  portrait  is  now  at  New  Market. 
John  Baylor  and  Lucy  Todd  O'Brien  had  several  sons  and 
daughters  (two  only  of  whom  I  have  been  able  to  trace)— 
John  (2),  born  May  12,  1705,  and  Gregory,  born  February 
10,  1710,  both  at  Walkerton,  King  and  Queen  county. 

John  (2)  married  Lucy  Waiker,  at  Yorktown,  January  2, 
1744,  several  sons  and  daughters  being  the  issue  of  this 
marriage.  John  (2)  was  with  Washington  at  Winchester. 
He  represented  the  county  of  Caroline  in  the  House  of  Bur 
gesses  from  1740  to  1760.  In  1748  I  mid  that  he  and  Luns- 
ford  Lomax  were  Burgesses  from  Caroline,  and  in  i757-'58 
he  and  Edmond  Pendleton.  (See  Burk's  Virginia,  Vol.  III., 
ch.  2.  p.  134.)  John  (2)  moved  to  New  Market  in  1726,  and 
occupied  a  large  grant  of  land.  This  grant  is  still  preserved 
at  New  Market,  which  has  been  continuously  in  possession 
of  the  family  from  that  time  to  the  present,  its  present  owner 

[395] 


Jp<5  Appendix. 

being  James  B.  Baylor.  John  (2)  held  several  commissions, 
one  of  which  constituted  him  lieutenant  of  the  county  of 
Orange,  signed  by  Robert  Dinwiddie  at  Williamsburg  in 
1752,  and  is  still  extant.  John  (3),  oldest  son  of  John  (2), 
was  born  at  New  Market  September  4,  1750;  was  sent  at  the 
age  of  twelve  to  Putney  Grammar  School,  from  which  he 
was  removed  to  Cambridge,  and  was  a  classmate  of  Wilber- 
force.  While  in  Europe  the  letters  of  Junius  appeared,  and 
for  some  reason  he  felt  so  deep  an  interest  in  the  subject,  style 
or  authorship,  as  to  transcribe  them  as  they  were  published, 
the  manuscript  being  now  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation 
at  New  Market.  The  performance  of  a  task  so  laborious  as 
that  involved  in  copying  these  famous  letters  from  the  Public 
Advertiser,  the  numbers  of  which  could  as  well  be  preserved, 
presents  a  puzzle  which  his  family  are  unable  to  solve. 

John  (3)  married  while  in  England  his  cousin,  Fanny 
Norton,  of  Gould  Square,  London,  and  shortly  afterward 
returned  to  Virginia.  They  were  followed  by  the  brothers 
of  Mrs.  Baylor.  Several  of  their  descendants  have  devoted 
their  lives  to  the  ministry.  The  Rev.  John  H.  Norton  is  one 
of  them.  The  Historical  Register,  Officers  of  the  Continental 
Army,  registers  John  (3)  as  follows:  "Lieutenant  Third 
Continental  Dragoons,  i5th  February,  1777;  Captain  1780, 
and  served  to  close  of  war."  John  (3)  Baylor's  portrait, 
painted  while  at  Cambridge,  is  at  New  Market.  He  died  at 
New  Market,  February  5,  1808.  The  issue  of  John  (3) 
Baylor  were  Francis  Courtney,  born  October  10,  1779; 
Courtney  Orange,  born  May  31,  1781 ;  John  (4),  George,  and 
Lucy. 

John  (4)  Baylor,  of  New  Market,  married  in  1819  Maria, 
daughter  of  Mingo  Roy,  of  Caroline,  and  had  only  one  child, 
Dr.  John  (5)  Roy  Baylor,  born  1822;  died  July  26,  1897. 
John  (5)  Roy  married  Anne  Bowen,  of  Albemarle  county. 
They  had  issue — James  Bowen  (who  married  Ellen  Carter 
Bruce,  of  Staunton  Hill,  Halifax  county),  and  John  (6)  Roy 
(who  married  Miss  Howard,  of  Richmond),  and  Maria  Roy. 


Appendix.  397 

George,  the  second  son  of  John  (2)  and  Lucy  Walker,  was 
born  at  New  Market  January  12,  1752.  He  was  aide  to 
General  Washington  at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  and  enjoyed 
the  honor  of  presenting  the  colors  there  taken  to  Congress. 
His  portrait  appears  in  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsyl 
vania.  In  the  Journals  of  Congress,  Wednesday,  January  i, 
1777,  will  be  found  the  following: 

"  Congress  being  informed  that  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Baylor,  one  of  General  Washington's  aides-de-camp,  who 
brought  the  dispatches  from  General  Washington,  read  yes 
terday,  was  at  the  door,  ordered,  that  he  be  admitted.  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Baylor  being  accordingly  admitted,  gave  a 
particular  account  of  the  late  action  at  Trenton,  and  with 
drew. 

'*  Resolved,  That  a  horse  properly  caparisoned  for  service 
be  presented  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baylor,  and  that  he  be 
recommended  to  General  Washington  to  be  appointed  to  the 
command  of  a  regiment  of  light  horse,  and  that  he  rank  with 
Colonel  Sheldon,  lately  appointed  to  like  command,  saving 
to  Colonel  Sheldon  any  preference  which  arises  from  the 
senior  date  of  his  commission." 

And  in  the  Journals  of  Congress,  January  23,  1777,  we 
find  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  41,640  dollars  be  advanced  to  Colonel 
George  Baylor  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  horses  and 
paying  the  bounty  of  men  for  the  regiment  of  cavalry  he  is 
ordered  to  raise;  that  the  same  be  paid  to  Major  A.  Clough 
and  charged  to  Colonel  Baylor,  who  is  to  be  accountable." 

Historical  Register,  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army, 
registers :  "  Baylor,  George,  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  aide-de 
camp  to  General  Washington,  I5th  of  August,  1775,  to  Jan 
uary  9,  1777.  By  the  act  of  January  i,  1777,  it  was  resolved 
that  a  horse  properly  caparisoned  for  service  be  presented 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Baylor,  colonel  Third  Continental  Dra 
goons,  Qth  of  January,  1777;  surprised,  wounded,  and  taken 
prisoner  at  Tappan:  28th  of  September,  1778,  exchanged. 


39  S  Appendix. 

His  regiment  consolidated  with  the  First  Continental  Dra 
goons  Qth  of  November,  1/82;  retained  in  command  of  the 
same  and  served  to  close  of  war.  BreveJ  brigadier-general, 
30th  September,  1/83;  died  March,  1784." 

It  is  noted  in  the  same  book:  "Third  Dragoons;  Colonel 
George  Baylor,  Qth  of  January,  1777,  to  close  of  war;  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Benjamin  Bird,  I4th  of  March,  1777,  to  2Oth 
of  November,  1778;  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  A.  Wash 
ington,  2Oth  of  November,  1778,  to  close  of  war;  Major 
Alexander  Clough,  8th  of  January,  1777,  to  28th  of  Septem 
ber,  1778;  Major  Richard  Call,  2d  October,  1778,  to  Qth  of 
November,  1782;  Major  John  Belfield,  1780,  to  Qth  of 
November,  1782;  Major  John  Swan,  Qth  of  November,  1782, 
to  close  of  war.  The  First  and  Third  regiments  were  con 
solidated  Qth  of  November,  1782,  and  thereafter  the  consoli 
dated  regiment  was  known  as  '  Baylor's  Dragoons.'  ' 

George  Baylor  married  at  Mansfield  Lucy  Page,  and  left 
surviving  him  one  son,  John  Walker  (who  married  Anne 
Fitzhugh,  and  left  one  son,  who  died  without  issue),  and  four 
daughters — Lucy  Page  (who  married  John  Heath  Brent), 
Mary  Digges  (who  married  Robert  Horner),  and  E.iza  (who 
married  Joseph  Horner).  His  widow  married  Nat  Burwell, 
of  Frederick  county. 

The  following  letter  was  in  possession  of  the  late  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Brent,  granddaughter  of  George  Baylor,  a  few  years  ago : 

To  the  Honorable  Don  Martin   Navaro,  Intendant  General 
of  the  Province  of  Louisiana : 

Sir,  I  beg  ieave  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance  Col 
onel  George  Baylor,  a  character  entitled  to  the  attention  and 
admiration  cf  every  lover  of  virtue  and  patriotism.  He  is  a 
gentleman  .of  the  best  connections  in  Virginia.  His  great 
zeal  in  the  service  of  the  country  and  many  brilliant  actions 
performed  by  him  in  the  course  of  the  late  war,  have  rendered 
him  conspicuous  in  America.  He  was  the  General's  first 
aic1e-de-camp,  and  on  various  occasions  has  had  not  only  the 
approbation  but  the  eulogiums  of  the  Commander-in-Chief. 
The  fatigues  of  the  war  and  the  effects  of  wounds  render  a 


Appendix. 

sea  voyage  absolutely  necessary  for  the  recovery  of  his  health. 
He  intends  to  pay  a  visit  to  New  Orleans,  and  to  return  home 
via  Mississippi  and  Ohio.  May  I  request  your  friendship 
and  politeness  to  this  American  hero  during  his  stay  in  your 
town,  and  on  his  departure  you  will  be  pleased  to  honor  him 
with  your  letters  to  the  commandants  on  his  route  upwards, 
commending  him  to  their  care  and  good  offices.  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  most  perfect  respect  and 
esteem,  sir,  your  most  obliged  and  most  humble  servant. 

DANIEL  CLARKE. 
Richmond,  in  Virginia,  December  4,  1783. 

It  is  needless  to  say  this  letter  was  never  delivered,  Colonel 
Baylor  having  died  at  Barbadoes  on  the  trip  around  by  sea, 
in  March,  1784.  Colonel  George  Baylor,  after  his  promo 
tion  by  Congress  and  vacating  the  position  of  aide-de-camp 
to  General  Washington,  seems  to  have  kept  up  a  brisk  and 
intimate  correspondence  with  that  officer.  I  have  selected 
a  few  of  these  letters  from  the  Virginia  Historical  Register, 
Vol.  II.,  pp.  141-144,  showing  not  only  the  intimacy  between 
these  officers,  but  a  peculiar  trait  in  the  character  of  Wash 
ington — his  great  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  his  relatives 
and  friends : 

MORRISTOWN,  January  9,   1777. 

Dear  Baylor:  Your  letter  of  the  ist  from  Baltimore  came 
to  my  hands  this  day.  Your  desire  of  commanding  a  regi 
ment  of  horse,  I  cheerfully  yield  to,  because  it  is  the  recom 
mendation  of  Congress,  your  own  wish  and  my  desire.  As 
nothing  contributes  so  much  to  the  constitution  of  a  good 
regiment  as  a  good  corps  of  officers,  and  no  method  so  likely 
to  obtain  these  as  leaving  the  choice  in  a  great  measure  to 
the  gentleman  who  is  to  reap  the  honors  or  share  the  dis 
grace  arising  from  their  behavior,  I  shall  vest  you  with  the 
power  of  nominating  the  officers  of  your  own  regiment, 
except  the  field  officers  and  those  of  the  troop  commanded 
by  George  Lewis,  which  I  shall  annex  to  your  regiment 
(instead  of  Sheldon's),  and  except  a  lieutenancy  in  some 
troop  for  little  Starke.  When  I  talk  of  giving  you  the  nomi 
nation  of  the  officers,  I  would  have  it  understood  that  I 
reserve  to  myself  a  negative  upon  a  part  or  the  whole,  if  I 


400  m  Appendix. 

have  reason  to  suspect  an  improper  choice.  I  earnestly 
recommend  to  you  to  be  circumspect  in  your  choice  of 
officers.  Take  none  but  gentlemen;  let  no  local  attachments 
influence  you;  do  not  suffer  your  gootl  nature  (when  an 
application  is  made)  to  say  yes,  when  you  ought  to  say  no. 
Do  not  take  old  men,  nor  yet  fill  your  corps  with  boys— 
especially  for  captains.  Colonel  Landon  Carter  some  time 
ago  recommended  a  grandson  of  his  to  me,  and  if  he  still 
inclines  to  serve,  and  a  lieutenancy  would  satisfy  him,  make 
him  the  offer  of  it. 

Let  me  hear  frequently  from  you. 

I  am,  very  sincerely,  yours, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

MORRISTOWN,  January  17,  1777. 

Dear  Baylor :  There  is  a  gentleman,  a  friend  of  mine,  whom 
I  should  be  glad  to  provide  for  in  your  regiment  of  horse.  I 
therefore  desire  you  will  reserve  a  troop  for  him.  Let  me 
hear  from  you  by  every  post;  send  me  a  list  of  the  officers 
you  have  fixed  on,  and  again  let  me  urge  to  you  how  much 
everything  depends  upon  dispatch. 

I  am,  sincerely  your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

MORRISTOWN,  February  15,  1777. 

Dear  Baylor:  Two  young  gentlemen,  namesakes  of  mine, 
the  one  son  to  Mr.  Lawrence  Washington,  the  other  to  Mr. 
Robert  Washington,  both  of  Stafford  county,  are  desirous  of 
entering  into  the  horse  service.  If,  therefore,  you  have  not 
disposed  of  all  the  cornetcies  in  your  regiment,  I  should  be 
glad  if  you  should  appoint  each  of  them  one. 
I  am,  sincerely,  Dr.  Sir,  your  affect'e, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

In  the  Virginia  Historical  Register,  Vol.  II.,  pp.  213-217, 
will  be  found  the  following  correspondence  between  General 
Washington  and  Colonel  Baylor: 

MORRISTOWN,  May  25,  1777. 

Dear  Sir:  By  this  day's  post,  I  received  your  favor  of  the 
1 3th  instant.  I  am  sorry  to  find  you  have  to  combat  so  many 
difficulties  in  raising  your  regiment.  These,  however,  I 


Appendix.  401 

flatter  myself,  in  a  little  time  will  be  all  surmounted  by  your 
persevering  activity.  A  chaplain  is  part  of  the  establishment 
of  a  corps  of  cavalry,  and  I  see  no  objection  to  your  having 
one,  unless  you  suppose  yours  will  be  too  virtuous  and  moral 
to  require  instruction.  Let  him  be  a  man  of  character  and 
good  conversation,  and  who  will  influence  the  manners  of  the 
corps  both  by  precept  and  example.  A  paymaster  is  indis 
pensably  necessary,  and  as  his  duty  will  be  to  make  up  all 
abstracts  and  receive  and  pay  all  money  due  the  corps,  and 
also  keep  and  settle  all  transactions  respecting  it,  he  must  be 
a  person  of  good  character  and  well  versed  in  accounts.  His 
pay  will  be  fifty  dollars  per  month,  and  I  hope  you  will  make 
choice  of  one  who  will  answer  the  description  I  have  given. 
I  am,  dear  Baylor,  your  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

HEADQUARTERS,  WHITE  PLAINS, 

3d  August,  1778. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  favored  with  yours  of  the  I3th  ultimo.  As 
you  seem  to  have  proceeded  as  far  as  you  can  in  the  purchase 
of  horses,  without  indulging  the  exorbitant  demands  of  the 
holders,  I  would  have  you  desist  and  come  immediately  to 
camp  with  all  the  officers,  men,  and  horses.  If  you  have  any 
arms  or  accoutrements  unfinished,  or  any  men  and  horses 
unfit  to  come  forward  when  this  order  reaches  you,  leave  an 
officer  upon  whose  diligence  you  can  depend  to  bring  them 
on  when  they  are  ready. 

Lieutenant  Baylor,  under  arrest  for  gaming,  is  to  come  on 
with  you.  I  have  written  to  Colonel  Bland  and  desired  him 
to  give  over  purchasing  and  to  come  on  to  camp  also,  as  it 
is  my  intent  to  draw  as  strong  a  body  of  cavalry  as  possible 
together,  that  we  may  keep  the  enemy  from  foraging  or 
drawing  other  supplies  from  this  part  of  the  country. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

Walker  Baylor,  third  son  of  John  (2)  and  Lucy  Walker, 
married  Jane  Bledsoe,  of  Virginia,  and  had  issue :  Robert  E. 
B.,  John  Walker,  Walker,  Keith,  and  Cyrus.  He  was  lieu 
tenant  Third  Dragoons,  28th  of  June,  1777;  Captain,  Feb 
ruary,  1780,  and  resigned  July  10,  1780.  He  was  disabled  at 
26 


4-02  Appendix. 

Germantown  by  a  ball  which  crushed  his  instep.  He  seems 
to  have  incurred  his  father's  displeasure,  and  is  not  mentioned 
in  his  will.  (13  Gratt.,  152.)  • 

Robert  Emmet  Bledsoe  Baylor  was  born  in  Lincoln 
county,  Ky.,  May  10,  1793;  died  at  Gay  Hill,  Texas,  January 
6,  1874.  He  served  in  the  War  of  1812  under  Colonel  Bos- 
well,  and  was  in  the  fight  near  Fort  Meigs.  In  1819  he  was 
elected  to  the  Kentucky  Legislature,  and  in  the  following 
year  removed  to  Alabama,  where  he  became  a  prominent 
lawyer,  and  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  that  State 
i829~'3i.  During  the  Creek  Wars  he  commanded  a  regiment 
of  Alabama  volunteers,  and  rendered  efficient  service.  He 
afterwards,  in  1839,  removed  to  Texas,  and  was  immediately 
elected  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  convention  which  framed  the  Constitution.  Later,  he 
was  chosen  a  district  judge,  and  held  that  office  for  twenty- 
five  years.  Baylor  University,  Texas,  to  which  he  made  gifts 
of  lands  and  money,  was  named  after  him,  as  was  also  Baylor 
county,  Texas. 

John  Walker  Baylor,  son  of  Walker  and  Jane  Bledsoe,  had 
issue:  Walker,  Henry,  John  Robert  (who  was  Governor  of 
Arizona,  Brigadier-General  Confederate  States  army,  and  a 
noted  Indian  fighter.  He  has  grandchildren  now  living  at 
Cotulla,  Texas),  George  Wythe  (who  is  still  living  in  Texas, 
and'was  a  colonel  in  Confederate  States  army),  Charles  (who 
married  Lula  Wadsworth,  daughter  of  Commodore  Wads- 
worth,  United  States  navy,  and  whose  family  now  live  at 
Jamaica  Plains,  Boston),  Sophie  (who  is  now  living  with  her 
daughter),  Francis  Courtney  Baylor  (Barnum),  author  of 
"On  Both  Sides,"  "Behind  the  Blue  Ridge,"  "Claudia 
Hyde,"  etc.,  at  Savannah,  Ga. ;  Cyrus  (who  manumitted  his 
slaves  and  removed  from  Texas  to  Illinois,  where,  we  under 
stand,  he  raised  a  large  family.  One  of  his  sons,  United 
States  army,  was  killed  in  storming  Kenessaw  Mountain,  and 
his  diary  fell  into  the  hands  of  General  John  Robert  Baylor, 


Appendix.  403 

Confederate  States  army,  his  first  cousin);  and  Fannie  (who 
married  Colonel  James  Belger,  United  States  army). 

Robert  Baylor,  fourth  son  of  John  (2),  married  Francis 
Gwyn,  of  Gwyn's  Island.  He  served  in  his  brother's  regi 
ment  of  dragoons  and  shortly  after  the  war  he,  in  company 
with  his  cousins  Richard  and  William  Baylor,  sons  of  Greg 
ory,  and  others  who  had  served  in  the  Continental  army, 
emigrated  to  Jefferson  county  (then  Berkeley),  and  pur 
chased  a  large  tract  of  land  on  "  Bull  Skin,"  adjoining  the 
lands  of  Lancelot  Lee  and  heirs  of  Corbin  Washington.  He 
was  one  of  the  justices  of  the  County  Court  of  Berkeley 
county  prior  to  the  formation  of  Jefferson  county  in  1801. 
In  1804  he  sold  his  lands  in  Jefferson  county  and  moved  to 
Logan  county,  Ky. 

Among  the  land  records  of  Jefferson  county,  in  D.  B. 
2,  p.  97,  of  date  February  13,  1804,  is  the  following:  "  Robert 
Baylor  and  Frances  Baylor,  of  the  county  of  Jefferson, 
in  consideration  of  6,120  pounds,  sells  and  conveys  to 
Henry  S.  Turner  the  farm  on  which  said  Baylor  now  lives, 
containing  765  acres,"  etc.  The  survey  calls  for  corners  to 
Lancelot  Lee  and  heirs  of  Corbin  Washington.  In  same 
D.  B.,  p.  202,  I  find  the  following:  "  Know  all  by  these 
presents,  that  I,  Robert  Baylor,  at  present  of  the  county 
of  Jefferson  and  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  but  expecting 
and  intending  to  remove  to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  have 
made,  constituted,  and  appointed,  etc.,  Ferdinando  Fairfax, 
of  said  county  of  Jefferson,  my  true  and  lawful  attorney,  etc., 
to  superintend  and  manage  the  suit  now  depending  in  the 
High  Court  of  Chancery,  at  Staunton,  Virginia,  in  the  name 
of  John  Baylor  and  others  against  me,"  etc.  This  was  a  suit 
to  inforce  the  provisions  of  the  will  of  John  (2)  Baylor,  and  is 
now  reported  in  13  Gratt.  152.  After  Robert  removed  to 
Logan  county,  Ky.,  he  appointed  his  son,  Gwyn  Baylor,  his 
attorney  in  fact  to  settle  his  business  in  Jefferson  county.  (See 
D.  B.  4,  p.  493.) 

Lucy  Baylor,   daughter  of    John   (2)   Baylor    and    Lucy 


404  Appendix. 

Walker,  married  John  Armistead  and  was  the  mother  of  Gen 
eral  Walker  Armistead  and  Colonel  George  Armistead.  The 
latter  commanded  at  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore,  during  the 
British  bombardment,  and  when  Francis  Scott  Key  wrote 
the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner."  In  honor  of  him  President 
McKinley  has  ordered  one  of  the  new  forts  in  the  harbor 
of  that  city  named  "  Fort  Armistead."  She  was  also  the 
grandmother  of  General  Louis  Armistead,  killed  at  Gettys 
burg.  The  spot  on  which  he  fell  is  marked  with  a  monument 
on  which  is  inscribed,  "  High-water  mark  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy." 

Gregory  Baylor,  the  younger  son  of  John  (i)  and  Lucy 
Todd  O'Brien,  married,  in  1749,  Mary  Whiting,  of  King  and 
Queen  county,  where  at  the  old  homestead  near  Walkerton 
on  the  Mattaponi,  they  lived,  dispensed  a  generous  hospi 
tality,  died  and  were  buried.  In  1775  he  and  William  Lyne 
belonged  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  King  and  Queen. 
He  left  surviving  him  three  sons  and  eight  daughters — 
Richard,  Robert,  and  William;  Mary  (who  married  William 
Harrison),  Frances  (who  married  Thomas  Richards),  Ann 
(who  married  Whitehead  Coleman),  Lucy  (who  married 
John  Robinson),  Elizabeth  (who  married  William  Lyne), 
Hannah  (who  first  married  Crosbie,  then  Starke),  Catherine 
(who  married  William  Tapscott),  and  Martha'  (who  died  un 
married).  Richard,  son  of  Gregory  and  Mary  Whiting,  mar 
ried  first  Miss  Lowry,  of  Jefferson,  by  whom  he  had  no 
children;  then  Mrs.  Richards,  of  Essex  county,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Anne  Tilden  Garnett,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons — 
Richard  Garnett,  Robert  William,  Thomas  Gregory,  and 
George  (who  died  unmarried),  and  one  daughter,  Anne 
Maria  (who  married  John  Newton  Walke,  of  Norfolk,  Va.). 

Richard,  son  of  Gregory,  served  as  a  private  in  the  Baylor 
Dragoons,  under  his  cousin,  Colonel  George  Baylor,  arid 
after  the  war  emigrated  with  his  brother  William  and  his 
cousin  Robert  (who  was  a  brother  of.  Colonel  George  Baylor) 
to  Berkeley  (now  Jefferson  county),  and  purchased  of  Nicho- 


Appendix.  405 

las  Orrick  a  large  tract  of  land  near  Leetown,  known  as 
"  Woodbury,"  and  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Major- 
Generals  Charles  Lee,  Horatio  Gates,  and  Adam  Stephens. 
He  and  his  cousin  Robert  were  justices  of  the  County  Court 
of  Berkeley  when  Berkeley  and  Jefferson  were  one,  and  after 
the  formation  of  Jefferson,  Richard  Baylor  was  commissioned 
by  Governor  Monroe  one  of  the  justices  of  the  County  Court 
of  Jefferson,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death,  in  1822. 

On  March  26,  1804  (see  Deed-Book  2,  page  125)  he  pur 
chased  a  tract  of  land  from  Lawrence  Augustine  Washington 
and  Mary  Dorcas,  his  wife,  described  in  the  deed  as  follows: 
"  Part  of  '  Richwoods,'  devised  to  Lawrence  Washington  by 
the  last  will  and  testament  of  his  father,  Samuel  Washington, 
who  held  it  under  title  from  Lawrence  Washington,  deceased, 
of  Fairfax  county,  to  whom  it  was  conveyed  by  deed  from 
Robert  Worthington  of  date  the  i6th  day  of  June,  1748,  and 
recorded  in  the  clerk's  office  of  Frederick  county." 

Richard  Garnett  Baylor,  son  of  Richard  and  Anne  Tilden 
Garnett,  married  Catherine  Brooke  Tunstall,  of  Norfolk,  and 
left  surviving  only  two  children  having  issue — Thomas 
Gregory  and  Robert  William. 

Thomas  Gregory  Baylor,  son  of  Richard  Garnett  and 
Catherine  Brooke  Tunstall,  married  Lou  Gait  and  left  issue — 
John  Gait  and  Kate  Gait  (who  married  Dr.  H.  G.  Perley, 
United  States  army).  Thomas  Gregory  Baylor  was  a  grad 
uate  of  West  Point,  and  rose  to  rank  of  Colonel  of  Ordnance 
in  the  United  States  army.  Robert  William  Baylor,  second 
son  of  Richard  Garnett  and  Catherine  Brooke  Tunstall,  mar 
ried  his  cousin  Mary  Garnett  Baylor  and  left  issue — Robert 
William  Baylor,  son  of  Richard  and  Anne  Tilden  Garnett; 
married  Mary  C.  Moore,  daughter  of  Cato  Moore  and  grand 
daughter  of  Cato  Moore,  who  is  registered  among  the  offi 
cers  of  the  Continental  army  as  follows :  "  Moore,  Cato  (Va.), 
first  lieutenant  of  Grayson's  Additional  Continental  Regi 
ment,  3d  February,  1777;  wounded  at  Brandywine,  nth 
September,  1777;  resigned  3d  February,  1778."  (See  His- 


406  Appendix. 

torical  Register,  Officers  Continental  Army,  p.  298.)  He 
was  captain  in  Confederate  States  army, 'severely  wounded 
April  27,  1862,  at  McGaheysville;  president  of  the  County 
Court  for  many  years,  and  at  the  date  of  his  death,  in  1883, 
he  had  issue — Julia  Moore  (who  married  Robert  V.  Shirley), 
Richard  Channing  (killed  at  Parker's  Store  November  29, 
1863),  George,  Margaret  Strother  (who  married  Charles  W. 
Aisquith),  Robert  William  (killed  at  Charlestown  November 
29,  1864),  Tilden  Garnett,  Henry  Bedinger,  and  Charles 
Edwin. 

Thomas  Gregory  Baylor,  third  son  of  Richard  and  Anne 
Tilden  Baylor,  married  Margaret  Cooke,  of  Norfolk,  and  has 
surviving  three  sons  and  one  daughter — John  Walke, 
Richard  Garnett,  Buckner  Cooke,  and  Lucy  (who  married 
Dr.  John  Fletcher  Shackleford,  of  Columbus,  Ga.)  Thomas 
Gregory  Baylor  was  killed  at  Petersburg  July  2,  1864. 
Robert  Baylor,  second  son  of  Gregory  and  Mary  Whiting, 
married  first  Lucy  Todd  Garnett  and  had  issue  five  chil 
dren — Gregory,  Eliza  Todd  (who  married  Alexander  Tun- 
stall),  Mary  Whiting  (who  married  William  T.  Brooke), 
Robert  Fitzgerald,  and  Lucy  Garnett  (who  married  William 
Hill),  and  Robert  for  second  wife  married  Ann  Brooke,  and 
had  issue — Robert  Hunter,  John  Brooke,  Robert,  Richard, 
William,  Baynham,  Ann  (who  married  John  Capron),  Arthur, 
Alexander,  and  Robert  Alexander. 

Richard  Baylor,  the  fourth  son  of  Robert  and  Ann  Brooke, 
married  Lucy  Waring,  'of  Essex  county,  and  had  issue — Ann 
Waring,  Lucy  Latane  (who  married  Samuel  Morrison), 
Robert  Payne  (who  married  Virginia  Williamson  Tunstall), 
Mary  Garnett  (who  married  Robert  William  Baylor),  Eliza 
beth  Payne,  Harriet  Rouzer  (who  married  John  C.  Taylor), 
Helen  Stanley  (who  married  Louis  Kossuth  Hudgins), 
Richard  (who  married  Isabella  T.  Mclntosh),  Catherine 
Brooke  (who  married  Dr.  W.  A.  Thorn),  and  Henry  Latane. 

Baynham  Baylor,  sixth  son  of  Robert  and  Ann  Brooke, 
married  Eliza  F.  Sharp,  and  had  issue — John  Capron  and 
Robert  Baynham. 


Appendix. 

Robert  Alexander  Baylor,  son  of  Robert  and  Ann  Brooke, 
married  Mary  Robinson,  and  had  issue — Ann  Brooke  (who 
married  Charles  O'Connor  Mallory). 

Alexander  Tunstall  and  Eliza  Todd  Baylor  had  issue — 
Robert  Baylor,  Richard  Baylor,  Catherine  Brooke  (who 
married  her  cousin  Richard  Garnett  Baylor),  Caroline  and 
Maria  Ann. 

Robert  Baylor  Tunstall  married  Elizabeth  Walke  William 
son,  and  had  issue — Baynham  Baylor  (who  married  Robert 
son  Taylor),  Alexander  (who  married  Annie  D.  Mclntosh), 
Virginia  Williamson  (who  married  Robert  Payne  Baylor,  and 
after  his  death,  Alfred  Pembroke  Thorn),  Annie  McC.  (who 
married  James  Frank  Hunter),  Richard  Baylor  (who  mar 
ried  Isabelle  M.  Heiser),  Robert  W.  and  William  Brooke 
(who  married  Eleanor  Turner). 

Richard  Baylor  Tunstall  married  Virginia  Waller,  and  had 
issue — Belle  Waller  (who  married  Dr.  Frank  Anthony 
W^alke)  and  Kate  Brooke  (who  married  L.  D.  Smith),  Eliza 
beth  Baylor,  daughter  of  Gregory  and  Mary  Whiting,  mar 
ried  William  Lyne,  and  had  issue — Gregory  Baylor,  William 
Henry,  Mary  Ann  Whiting,  Robert  Baylor,  Frances  Lowry, 
Elizabeth  Baylor,  and  Thomas  Lowry. 

Mary  Ann  Whiting  Lyne  married  Benjamin  Wilson,  and 
had  issue — William  Lyne  Wilson. 

William  Baylor,  third  son  of  Gregory  and  Mary  Whiting, 
moved  from  King  and  Queen  (where  he  was  born)  shortly 
after  the  war,  in  company  with  his  brother  Richard  and  his 
cousin  Robert,  and  located  near  Shepherdstown,  in  Jeffer 
son  county  (then  Berkeley),  and  married  Lucy  Lowry,  and 
had  issue — Mary,  Patsy,  and  Fanny — all  of  whom  died  with 
out  issue. 

(Extract  from  Confederate  Military  History,  Vol.  II.,  p.  155.) 

Captain  Robert  W.  Baylor,  of  Charlestown,  Jefferson 
county,  was  conspicuous  among  the  strong  and  energetic 
spirits  who  served  as  rallying  points  of  patriotism  in  North- 


408  Appendix. 

western. Virginia  in  1861.  He  held  the  rank  of  Colonel  of 
Virginia  troops  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  but  not  being 
continued  in  that  position  at  the  organization,  raised  a  com 
pany  of  young  men  in  Jefferson  county,  which  was  subse 
quently  distinguished  in  the  Confederate  service  as  Company 
B,  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry.  It  was  a  notable  com 
pany  in  membership,  many  famous  families  of  Virginia  being 
represented,  and  a  considerable  number  of  them  are  now 
prominent  in  civil  life,  perhaps  the  most  conspicuous  being 
William  L.  Wilson,  ex-Postmaster-General  and  President  of 
Washington  and  Lee  University;  and  Charles  Broadway 
Rouss,  of  New  York.  This  company,  known  as  the  Baylor 
Light  Horse,  entered  the  service  in  Ashby's  Cavalry,  but 
was  not  long  under  the  command  of  its  organizer,  as  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  an  engagement  at  McGaheysville  April 
27,  1862,  and  taken  prisoner.  He  was  subsequently  tried  by 
a  Federal  court-martial  and  condemned  to  be  executed,  on 
account  of  his  activity  in  the  Southern  cause;  but  the  sen 
tence  was  set  aside  by  General  Kelley,  with  the  approval  of 
Secretary  Stanton.  He  was  held  as  a  prisoner  until  late  in 
1864,  but  when  exchanged  his  wound  still  disabled  him.  He 
survived  until  1883.  He  was  of  an  old  Virginia  family, 
descended  from  John  Baylor,  who  emigrated  from  England 
about  1694.  His  father,  Richard  Baylor,  served  as  a  private 
in  the  Baylor  Dragoons,  Continental  army,  commanded  by 
his  cousin,  Colonel  George  Baylor.  Three  sons  of  Captain 
Robert  W.  Baylor  also'  served  in  his  cavalry  company — 
Richard  C,  who  was  mentioned  by  General  McClellan  for 
bravery  in  going  through  the  lines  at  Auburn  to  warn  Gen 
eral  Lee  of  the  critical  situation  of  General  Stuart's  command, 
and  was  killed  at  Parker's  Store,  near  Fredericksburg,  No 
vember  29,  1863;  Robert  W.,  who  was  killed  at  Charlestown 
November  29,  1864;  and  George,  now  a  prominent  attorney 
at  Charlestown,  who  was  the  brilliant  leader  of  the  company 
after  his  father's  capture.  Captain  George  Baylor,  born  in 
Jefferson  county  in  1843,  was  educated  at  Dickinson  College, 


Appendix.  409 

Carlisle,  Pa.,  and  graduated  in  1860,  and  subsequently  was 
an  instructor  in  the  Episcopal  High  School  in  Fauquier 
county  until  April,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
of  the  Second  Virginia  Infantry.  He  served  with  the  Stone 
wall  Brigade  during  the  first  year  of  the  war,  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Manassas,  and  received  excellent  training  as  a 
soldier  under  his  famous  commander.  In  the  spring  of  1862, 
he  joined  the  Baylor  Light  Horse,  of  which  he  was  elected 
second  lieutenant,  and  with  this  company,  which  formed  part 
of  the  command  of  Turner  Ashby,  participated  in  the  Valley 
campaign  of  1862,  fighting  at  Kernstown,  Winchester,  Mid- 
dletown,  Cross  Keys,  and  Port  Republic.  After  Jackson 
moved  to  the  Chickahominy,  his  company  was  left  in  the 
Valley,  where  it  engaged  in  frequent  raids  upon  the  Federal 
outposts,  aiding  materially  in  causing  the  enemy  to  fall  back 
to  Harper's  Ferry.  They  then  participated  in  the  Second 
Manassas  campaign,  the  capture  of  Harper's  Ferry,  and  the 
battle  of  Sharpsburg.  In  a  fight  near  Charlestown  he  re 
ceived  a  wound  in  the  leg.  Lieutenant  Baylor  was  in  com 
mand  of  his  company  from  June,  1862,  throughout  its 
subsequent  campaigns  and  engagements.  In  February, 
1863,  during  a  raid  in  Jefferson  county,  he  was  captured  by 
the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  sent  to  Fort 
McHenry.  Attempting  to  escape,  he  was  confined  two  weeks 
in  a  cell,  and  then  sent  to  Fort  Delaware,  but  was  so  fortu 
nate  as  to  be  one  of  twenty  officers  who  were  exchanged  in 
April,  the  only  exchange  that  year.  Returning  to  his  com 
mand,  now  Company  B,  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  W. 
E.  Jones's  Brigade,  Stuart's  Cavalry  Corps,  he  participated 
in  the  operations  of  1863,  including  the  engagements  at 
Brandy  Station,  Oakland,  and  Altamont,  Md.;  Mine  Run, 
Upperville,  Warrenton  Springs,  Auburn,  Bristoe  Station, 
Parker's  Store,  and  Little  Baltimore.  At  Warrenton  Springs, 
the  Twelfth  Regiment  being  under  command  of  Colonel 
Funston,  Lieutenant  Baylor  held  the  front,  and  was  ordered 
to  charge  the  bridge,  held  by  the  Federals,  in  the  dusk  of  the 


410  Appendix. 

evening.  He  led  his  men  in  columns  of  fours  along  a  narrow 
causeway,  in  the  face  of  a  sharp  fire,  until  at  the  abutment 
he  found  the  planks  had  been  removed  frOm  the  bridge,  and 
that  he  must  retrace  his  steps  and  try  the  ford.  Without  the 
slightest  confusion,  the  command  obeyed  the  order  to  right 
about  wheel,  and  in  a  moment  it  was  plunging  through  the 
ford,  amid  the  wild  huzzas  of  the  Confederate  infantry,  and, 
dashing  up  the  hill,  soon  cleared  the  enemy  from  their  rifle- 
pits,  and  won  a  passage  for  the  remainder  of  the  Confederate 
force.  For  this  brilliant  performance,  Lieutenant  Baylor  and 
his  troop  enjoyed  the  unique  distinction  of  receiving  a  fur 
lough  of  ten  days  by  order  of  General  Lee.  He  subsequently 
took  part  in  the  West  Virginia  raids  under  Jones  and  Rosser, 
and  at  Medley,  near  New  Creek,  in  January,  1864,  received  a 
wound  in  the  shoulder,  which  compelled  his  retirement  until 
May,  when  he  rejoined  his  command.  Joining  General  Lee, 
he  was  in  advance  on  the  morning  of  May  5th,  in  the  Wilder 
ness,  his  brigade  opening  the  ball  by  the  defeat  of  Wilson's 
Federal  Division  of  Cavalry  near  Tod's  Tavern,  and  subse 
quently  fought  at  Haw's  Shop,  Ashland  (where  he  led  the 
charge),  Sappony  Church,  Trevilian's,  Charles  City  Court 
house  (where  he  was  slightly  wounded).  Reams  Station,  and 
the  famous  cattle  raid.  Then,  being  ordered  with  his  brigade 
to  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  he  was  engaged  at  Brock's  Gap, 
Tom's  Brook,  Cedar  Creek,  and  Middletown.  On  November 
22d,  while  on  a  reconnoissance,  with  six  men  he  stampeded 
at  night  a  Federal  outmost  at  Allstadt's  Lane,  and  captured 
13  men  and  twice  as  many  horses.  He  was  then  detached 
with  his  company  to  operate  in  the  lower  Valley,  and  on  the 
night  of  November  2Qth  attacked  the  camp  of  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry  at  Charlestown,  killing  and  wounding 
ii  of  the  enemy,  and  capturing  27  prisoners  and  37  horses. 
In  a  subsequent  fight  near  White  Post  a  Federal  squadron  in 
pursuit  of  him  suffered  defeat  and  a  similar  loss.  On  April  5, 
1865,  he  joined  the  command  of  Colonel  Mosby  as  captain  of 
Company  H,  and  was  engaged  on  the  same  day  at  Millville, 


Appendix.  411 

and  on  April  loth  at  Fairfax  Station.  He  surrendered  at  Win 
chester  May  8,  1865,  and  then  returned  to  civil  life.  He  was 
graduated  in  law  at  Washington-Lee  University  in  1867,  and 
after  practicing  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  five  years  returned  to 
Charlestown.  Here  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William 
L.  Wilson,  which  continued  until  1881,  when  Mr.  Wilson 
was  elected  president  of  the  West  Virginia  University. 
During  the  same  period  he  held  for  four  years  the  office  of 
prosecuting  attorney  for  his  county.  Since  then  he  has  con 
tinued  in  the  practice  of  law,  and  is  now  counsel  of  the  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  distinguished  in  his  profession. 

(Extract  from  Confederate  Military  History,  Vol.  II.,  p.  294.) 

William  L.Wilson,  a  distinguished  son  of  Jefferson  county, 
who  espoused  the  Confederate  cause,  was  born  May  3,  1843. 
He  received  a  thorough  education  at  the  Charlestown 
Academy,  Columbia  University,  D.  C.,  and  the  University 
of  Virginia,  and  while  yet  a  youth  participated  in  the  Con 
federate  military  service.  As  a  member  of  the  Baylor  Light 
Horse,  Company  B,  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry,  he 
shared  the  adventurous  duties  of  his  comrades  under  the 
leadership  of  the  famous  Turner  Ashby  and  J.  E.  B.  Stuart. 
After  the  close  of  hostilities,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of 
law,  and  was  graduated  at  the  Columbian  University,  and 
until  the  repeal  of  the  test-oath  in  West  Virginia  held  the 
position  of  Professor  of  Latin  in  that  institution.  He  prac 
ticed  at  Charlestown  from  1871  to  1882,  and  in  the  mean 
time  became  prominent  in  politics.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Democratic  Convention  of  1880,  and  in  the  same 
year  elector  for  the  State  at  large  on  the  Hancock  ticket. 
He  became  president  of  the  West  Virginia  University  in 
September,  1882,  but  resigned  in  June  following  to  accept  a 
seat  in  Congress  as  the  representative  of  his  district.  He 
served  with  distinction  in  the  Forty-eighth,  Forty-ninth, 
Fiftieth,  Fifty-first,  Fifty-second,  and  Fifty-third  Congresses, 


412  Appendix. 

being  particularly  conspicuous  as  a  leader  in  the  movement 
for  tariff  reform.  In  1892  he  was  permanent  president  of  the 
National  Democratic  Convention.  In  trre  Fifty-third  Con 
gress  he  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means, 
and  reported  and  had  charge  in  the  House  of  the  tariff  bill 
which  distinguished  the  last  administration  of  Cleveland.  He 
also  introduced  and  carried  through  the  House  a  bill  repeal 
ing  the  Sherman  silver  law.  In  the  political  reaction  which 
followed  he  was  defeated  for  re-election,  and  in  the  following 
April  he  became  a  member  of  President  Cleveland's  Cabinet 
as  Postmaster-General  of  the  United  States.  Since  the  close 
of  that  administration  he  has  given  his  attention  to  those 
scholarly  occupations  in  which  he  had  long  been  distin 
guished.  He  was  regent  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  1884 
to  1888;  is  a  member  of  several  historical  and  scientific  asso 
ciations,  and  has  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Law  from 
various  educational  institutions.  In  1897  he  became  presi 
dent  of  Washington-Lee  University. 


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